Tennis: India pair Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi renew partnership

Bengaluru: Following a good run in 2012 that saw them finish as finalists at the ATP World Tour Finals, tennis players Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi on Monday renewed their partnership.

The pair experimented briefly with new partners earlier in the year, with Bopanna winning the Marseilles Open alongside Scottish partner Colin Fleming and Bhupathi winning the Dubai Open after partnering with Michael Llodra.

Currently India’s top two doubles players, Bhupathi (No.10) and Bopanna (No.12) will be playing on the same side of the court, commencing with the Monte Carlo Masters. The duo believe that their experience of playing together on the tour during 2012 will hold them in good stead.

Speaking on the partnership Bhupathi said: “We had a really good run last year and had found a rhythm in our game while having a great time playing together. We have a refined understanding of each other’s games and gel well on and off the court. All strong characteristics that I know will translate into a successful partnership for us on the tour. Also as the country’s top two doubles players, I don’t think either of us could have asked for a more dependable partner.”

Echoing Bhupathi’s sentiments, Bopanna added: “Playing with Mahesh has been a great learning experience for me and we make a formidable doubles team. While we will work towards improving on last year’s performances, we do make a solid team in the knowledge that we have each other’s back throughout.”

This year will see Bhupathi, a veteran of 52 men’s doubles titles including four Grand Slams and eight mixed doubles Grand Slams, retire following a long international career in the sport.