<p>Rohan Bopanna was still trying to let the news of his maiden call-up to represent India at the Davis Cup against Australia sink in. </p>.<p>By then, his elated parents, in typical Kodava style, were already busy planning a huge party for the near and dear ones to celebrate their young boy’s first big milestone. </p>.<p>This was in 2002 when a 22-year-old Bopanna, just about finding his way in the professional tennis world, went on to play his first Davis Cup match (a dead rubber) in Australia. </p>.<p>“One of the reasons my parents encouraged me in tennis was to see me play for India. Their dream was realised that day,” the 43-year-old recalls. </p>.<p>“Today they’re all here again. I don’t think any one of us expected me to be playing for such a long time. We have all collectively learnt so much from this journey,” he adds on the eve of his final Davis Cup match for the country. </p>.<p>India’s World Group II tie against Morocco on Saturday will mark Bopanna’s 33rd outing for the country in the format. Nicknamed ‘Bofors Bopanna’ for his torpedo-style serves, he has won 22 matches, including 10 singles over the years. </p>.<p>When asked about his most memorable of them all, he says: “The one in Chennai in 2010 against Brazil. We were 0-2 down and came back to win 3-2 to take India to the World Group play offs.”</p>.<p>Holding a reputation of never turning down an opportunity to play for the country, Bopanna, however, observes a lack of understanding of this tournament among the younger crop of players. </p>.<p>“This is an event where things like world ranking take a backseat. It is all about heart, playing for your team-mates and the camaraderie. Tennis is very individualistic. So the young ones are still learning to understand this different set-up.” </p>.<p>The pro from Karnataka admits that he had initially requested the tie to be held in Bengaluru. “It would have been a great experience to end there or anywhere in Karnataka. But maybe it’s an opportunity for us to inspire a new set of youngsters here in Lucknow who hopefully will watch us play and pick up a racquet. That will be the actual success of an event like this.” </p>.<p>Talking about Bopanna, Indian captain Rohit Rajpal said the two-day affair will be an emotional outing even as they tussle to win points on the court.</p>.<p>“Rohan is an old friend and a younger brother to me. He has always been the core player of the Indian Davis Cup squad and an integral part of my think tank,” expresses Rajpal. </p>.<p>His Davis Cup journey might be coming to an end, but Bopanna isn’t done yet. A decision that Rajpal quips he is partly to blame. </p>.<p>“He wanted to quit playing completely two years ago and I said don’t do it because he still had a couple of good years left. Rohan was ranked 60 at that time and he broke into the top-20. Again, a few months ago, he said he wants to retire and I told him not to and now he is in the top-10. So we have this joke going on between us.. he asks me to keep saying ‘don’t quit’ every time he wants to so it works well for him.”</p>
<p>Rohan Bopanna was still trying to let the news of his maiden call-up to represent India at the Davis Cup against Australia sink in. </p>.<p>By then, his elated parents, in typical Kodava style, were already busy planning a huge party for the near and dear ones to celebrate their young boy’s first big milestone. </p>.<p>This was in 2002 when a 22-year-old Bopanna, just about finding his way in the professional tennis world, went on to play his first Davis Cup match (a dead rubber) in Australia. </p>.<p>“One of the reasons my parents encouraged me in tennis was to see me play for India. Their dream was realised that day,” the 43-year-old recalls. </p>.<p>“Today they’re all here again. I don’t think any one of us expected me to be playing for such a long time. We have all collectively learnt so much from this journey,” he adds on the eve of his final Davis Cup match for the country. </p>.<p>India’s World Group II tie against Morocco on Saturday will mark Bopanna’s 33rd outing for the country in the format. Nicknamed ‘Bofors Bopanna’ for his torpedo-style serves, he has won 22 matches, including 10 singles over the years. </p>.<p>When asked about his most memorable of them all, he says: “The one in Chennai in 2010 against Brazil. We were 0-2 down and came back to win 3-2 to take India to the World Group play offs.”</p>.<p>Holding a reputation of never turning down an opportunity to play for the country, Bopanna, however, observes a lack of understanding of this tournament among the younger crop of players. </p>.<p>“This is an event where things like world ranking take a backseat. It is all about heart, playing for your team-mates and the camaraderie. Tennis is very individualistic. So the young ones are still learning to understand this different set-up.” </p>.<p>The pro from Karnataka admits that he had initially requested the tie to be held in Bengaluru. “It would have been a great experience to end there or anywhere in Karnataka. But maybe it’s an opportunity for us to inspire a new set of youngsters here in Lucknow who hopefully will watch us play and pick up a racquet. That will be the actual success of an event like this.” </p>.<p>Talking about Bopanna, Indian captain Rohit Rajpal said the two-day affair will be an emotional outing even as they tussle to win points on the court.</p>.<p>“Rohan is an old friend and a younger brother to me. He has always been the core player of the Indian Davis Cup squad and an integral part of my think tank,” expresses Rajpal. </p>.<p>His Davis Cup journey might be coming to an end, but Bopanna isn’t done yet. A decision that Rajpal quips he is partly to blame. </p>.<p>“He wanted to quit playing completely two years ago and I said don’t do it because he still had a couple of good years left. Rohan was ranked 60 at that time and he broke into the top-20. Again, a few months ago, he said he wants to retire and I told him not to and now he is in the top-10. So we have this joke going on between us.. he asks me to keep saying ‘don’t quit’ every time he wants to so it works well for him.”</p>