Bopanna aims to achieve ‘big things’ in 2017

India’s doubles tennis specialist Rohan Bopanna on Tuesday said he is keen to put behind last year’s reverses and focus on achieving big things in 2017.

“There is no point in discussing negative matter (on his recent twitter spat with Leander Paes). We should focus on achieving big things in 2017,” Bopanna told reporters after announcement of EduSports and Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy tieup here. 

Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to perform better in coming season, Bopanna said, “Look at Modi, he has taken a bold step by enforcing demonetisation. He has shown us the way forward,” he added. Asked about his new partner Pablo Cuevas, Bopanna said he would join the Argentinean as per his singles schedule. 

“Cuevas priority is definitely singles. I will play as per his schedule. Wherever Cuevas wants to play in the singles section, I will join him and we will compete in doubles, he said. Bopanna had recently split with Florin Mergea. The 36-year-old will participate in Australian Open in Melbourne, but not before he would start the season at Chennai Open in January and then Apia International in Sydney.

Replying to a query, Bopanna said the singles rubbers against New Zealand hold key in Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 first-round tie. “To qualify to the world group, we need two good singles players because out of the five points, four comes from singles. I am hopeful Saketh Myneni, Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan can beat the top guys now,” he said.