Bopanna calls time on a sterling 22-year career

His retirement marks the end of the golden generation of Slam winners from India

- Shahid Judge

Down 2-4 in the deciding set of a Grand Slam final is nota pleasant place to be. Every point won comes with the hope that there is still a chance of getting back. Still a chance to stay in the match. Still a chance to win.

For all present at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch the 2023 US Open men’s doubles final, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden had earned one more glimmer of hope. The Indo-Australian duo managed to get both their opponents on one side of the court, and through a narrow gap, Ebden played a winning crosscourt forehand. The umpire duly awarded the point to Bopanna and Ebden.

‘Almost immediately, Bopanna raised a hand and indicated the ball had actually flicked his arm.

At the time, Bopanna was a 43-year-old plying his trade ina sport that has become increasingly physical. He was yet to win a men’s doubles Grand Slam title. But if he was to win, it would do it fairly. That one point summarised the way he played his tennis. And that is perhaps how he'd like to be remembered.