Exclusive! Destroying doubles tennis pains Rohan Bopanna

The tennis season is on in full swing. Top stars like Novak Djokovic and Iga Swaitek are struggling. So is Rohan Bopanna, as he plays only doubles. Yet, at 45, the Indian is not afraid of what all is being done to destroy doubles in tennis.

Speaking to MyKhel from Doha, Bopanna said the fight to stay relevant in doubles will continue. "The process of diluting doubles has been on for a long time. Personally, for me, it's all about enjoying my game and also ensuring the kids at my academy in Bengaluru play tennis. It does not matter if it is singles or doubles," said Bopanna.

The start to the 2025 tennis season has been bumpy, a bit like turbulence while flying at 40,000 feet above sea level. Bopanna does not mind it. He has been through these crazy rides for decades now. Opening up on the season, he said playing next with seasoned pro Ivan Dodig is good for him.

"The good part is, having been all around for so long, I can contact players on the phone. I have known Dodig for long, so will be playing a few important events in the US," said Bopanna. In the absence of a regular partner for the while season, he has accepted this is the way it will work.

Where the Indian doubles pro is a bit hurt is the way the US Open plans to treat doubles as a sideshow later this year. "You got to be kidding, reducing the doubles event in the US Open to a two-day compressed programme during the qualifying week. It's crazy," said Bopanna.

At the same time, the Indian ace knows there is nothing much which can be done. "I mean there are YouTubers and other influencers as well mocking doubles tennis," he said.

Asked if the ATP cannot step in, said Bopanna: "It is between the US Open which runs the Grand Slam and the ITF. This doubles problem, rather its dilution is specific to just the US Open. I mean, the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon are ensuring doubles stays on the programme as a main event."

Doubles has been important for India in tennis. From the time Amritraj brother Vijay and Anand played together to the highs achieved by Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, Indians shone in doubles tennis. The United States of America has itself produced many doubles experts.

This generation may not be aware that John McEnroe himself played singles and doubles with relish. At the same time, there were so many more greats like Ken Flach and Robert Seguso, followed by the Bryan twins - Mike and Bob.

Doubles has been under the scanner for a long time. The first dilution happened at the Grand Slams when they reduced it to best of three sets at a few places in the Majors.

"Even now, they want to tweak doubles to such a large extent it will appear as if super tie- breaks are being played and not a whole match," said Bopanna. Fans in India also must not forget the highs scaled by Sania Mirza in doubles' tennis.

On Friday, Bopanna put out a social media post which had many thinking. He cares for tennis and doubles, specifically, be it his own career or the ones he is grooming.