Veteran tennis player Rohan Bopanna has selected N Sriram Balaji as his playing partner for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) is likely to approve Bopanna’s decision.
Bopanna Impressed by Balaji’s French Open Performance
Bopanna, a four-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, was impressed by Balaji’s performance at the French Open. Balaji, partnering with a Mexican player, pushed the strong team of Bopanna and his Australian partner to the third round. Balaji’s strong baseline play and net skills convinced Bopanna that he would be the ideal partner for a shot at the Olympic medal.
AITA Likely to Approve Bopanna’s Choice
The AITA Secretary General, Anil Dhupar, expressed no objections to Bopanna’s choice. He acknowledged Balaji’s strong play, both at the French Open and other recent clay-court tournaments. While the final decision rests with the selection committee, both Dhupar and former Davis Cupper Nandan Bal indicated their support for Bopanna’s selection.
Final Decision and Upcoming Timeline
The selection committee will convene a meeting to discuss Bopanna’s choice. The final decision will be based on the ATP/WTA rankings on June 10th. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will then notify participating nations about qualified athletes by June 12th.