India’s top doubles player Rohan Bopanna will pick either N Sriram Balaji or Yuki Bhambri as his partner for the Paris Olympics and the All India Tennis Association (AITA) will most likely approve his choice.
Ranked No.4 in doubles in the world, the 44-year-old Bopanna, can pick a player of his choice as per the rules since he is a top-10 player. The men’s doubles draw at the Paris Games will be a 32-team affair, where one nation can have a maximum of two teams.
According to AITA sources, Bopanna had recommended the names of Balaji and Bhambri to the national federation for inclusion in TOPS as his potential partners for the Paris Olympics.
“Usually, it’s the player’s choice (to pick his partner). The selection committee will ask him about his choice and discuss that. Whoever Rohan wants to play with, will be considered positively,” AITA secretary general Anil Dhupar said.
Both Balaji and Bhambri have got some decent results on clay in the lead-up to Roland Garros, where the action will unfold during the Summer Olympics from July 27.
Balaji won the Cagliari Challenger event with German partner Andre Begemann. Bhambri won the ATP 250 event in Munich with French player Albano Olivetti in April.
This may well be Bopanna’s last shot at winning an Olympic medal.
