Indian doubles star Rohan Bopanna will bow out of Davis Cup, the premier men's team competition, this weekend after India's World Group 2 tie against Morocco.
Bopanna will team up with Yuki Bhambri in his final tie, which will take place in Lucknow on September 16 and 17.
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"It's a mixed feeling, tinged with emotion. I've devoted a couple of decades to representing India in the Davis Cup, and now I'm gearing up for my last tie in Indian colours," Bopanna was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
“I am delighted that this moment is occurring in India. In fact, I had hoped to host this encounter in front of my home crowd in Bangalore, but unfortunately, that couldn't be arranged. If the tie were in Bangalore, around 500-600 people would have come to watch me play.
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"Since we no longer have an ATP tournament in India, I'll be concluding my career outside India when that day comes. Nevertheless, for now, around 80 fans, family members, friends, and more are traveling to Lucknow to witness my final appearance for India in the Davis Cup.”
How has Rohan Bopanna performed in 2023?
Though 43 years of age, Bopanna has had one of the best Grand Slam seasons of his career in 2023.
He reached the final of the mixed doubles tournament, along with India's Sania Mirza, at the Australian Open. In men's doubles, with Australia's Matt Ebden, he reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the final of recently-concluded US Open.
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In New York, Bopanna also became the oldest player to reach a men's doubles Grand Slam final. He reached the championship clash at the age of 43 years and 6 months, breaking the previous record held by Daniel Nestor (43 years and 4 months). He also returned to the top-10 after seven years.
Currently ranked No 7 in the world in men's doubles, Bopanna also won a career-first title at Indian Wells Masters and clinhed the ATP title in Doha.
What is Rohan Bopanna's career record in Davis Cup?
Bopanna has been a key member of the Indian squad since making his Davis Cup debut in 2002:
| Total Matches | Singles matches | Singles matches won | Doubles matches played | Doubles matches won |
| 49 | 27 | 10 | 22 | 12 |
Teams for the India vs Morocco, World Group 2, first round match:
India: Sumit Nagal, Sasikumar Mukund, Digvijay Pratap Singh, Yuki Bhambri, Rohan Bopanna. Non-playing captain - Rohit Rajpal
Morocco: Elliot Benchetrit, Yassine Dlimi, Adam Moundir, Walid Ahouda, Younes Lalami Laaroussi. Non-playing captain - Mehdi Tahiri
