Not too focused on Rio: Rohan Bopanna

Amid rising speculation on who is going to partner Sania Mirza at the Rio Olympics, contender Rohan Bopanna says his sole focus now is to maintain his top-10 ranking till the French Open in June.

While veteran Leander Paes has already said that he is the ideal painter for Sania, Bopanna said a lot of scenarios can play out before the Rio Games in August.

“I will play all the big tournaments there are on the calendar before Rio, starting from Dubai to Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Rome, French Open. The aim is to be in the top-10 till the French Open and we will see who can partner who, be it doubles or mixed doubles. So there is a long way to go before Rio,” Bopanna told PTI on Friday.

The qualification for Rio will depend on the rankings published on June 6, while the French Open will be played from May 16 to June 5.

Bopanna said it is impossible to predict his partner as of now.

Paes, who has slipped to 52 in the doubles rankings, had earlier claimed that Bopanna had refused to play with him in the lead up to the Olympics. Asked for his reaction on Paes’ comments, Bopanna said he is happy to continue with his current partner Florian Mergea.