City
Epaper

Looking forward to playing Davis Cup tie in Pakistan: Bopanna

By IANS | Updated: July 15, 2019 19:30 IST

Veteran tennis player Rohan Bopanna has said that he has no worries about going to Pakistan as part of the Indian Davis Cup team in September.

Open in App

India and Pakistan have been drawn to compete for the Asia/Oceania Group 1 Tie in Islamabad. This will be the first time since March 1964 that an Indian Davis Cup team will travel to Pakistan.

"I am looking forward to the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan," Bopanna said on the sidelines of an event here.

"I have spoken to Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, he is a very good friend of mine and he said things will be fine. I have been there a few times and have always found people there to be very hospitable. So I have no concerns about going there," he added.

Qureshi is Pakistan's top-ranked tennis player with whom Bopanna had played doubles before. The two had finished runners-up at the 2010 US Open.

In September, Bopanna (39) is expected to team up with Divij Sharan and the pair are the country's best ranked doubles players.

Bopanna also said that India were a long way from producing a Grand Slam singles winner. Prajnesh Gunneswaran, India's top-ranked singles player, had reached the first round of the French Open and Wimbledon where he lost to Bolivia's Hugo Dellien and Canada's Milos Raonic, respectively, in straight sets.

"We never had a singles winner in Grand Slams. We need the right kind of facilities and support from the federation and the corporates. That makes a difference. It is an individual sport and having more tournaments in India will help Ind perform better," he said.

"If we look at the last 15 years, we will see only four players have won Grand Slams. So it is still a long way to go for an Indian to win a singles Major."

(Rohit Mundayur can be contacted on rohit.m@.in)

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiapakistanBopannaDavis
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalIslamabad Car Blast: At Least 12 Killed After Vehicle Explodes in G-11 Sector of Pakistan

NationalNational Security Tightened as Pakistani Terror Cells Plan Strikes on Delhi and Other Sensitive Locations

CricketHong Kong Sixes 2025 Final: Pakistan Crowned Champions; Defeat Kuwait by 43 Runs

CricketHong Kong Sixes 2025 Final: Pakistan to Face Kuwait In Summit Clash Today at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground

CricketIndia vs South Africa 2025 Schedule: Full List of Matches, Dates, Venues and Fixtures

टेनिस Realted Stories

TennisJannik Sinner defends Nitto ATP Finals title with a straight-set win over Carlos Alcaraz

TennisHe always comes back stronger from losses: Carlos Alcaraz's special praise for Sinner

TennisATP Finals: Alcaraz sets yet another title clash with Sinner in Italy

TennisWith a 2-1 victory over India, Slovenia seal spot in Billie Jean King Cup 2026 Qualifiers

TennisBirthday Special: Five Times Sania Mirza Put India on the Global Map