Rohan Bopanna becomes oldest World No. 1 in doubles

From Sania Mirza to Sachin Tendulkar... India's sporting legends celebrated tennis star Rohan Bopanna's historic feat.

Transcript

00:00I really, you know, push myself to do and play best tennis and bring out the best in

00:17me.

00:41There is no other bigger feeling than, you know, having a jersey where your country's,

00:47you know, written at the back of your shirt.

00:50And I think every athlete wants to represent their country and in my case, representing

00:55India for 21 years in, you know, Davis Cup, though, you know, when we were playing on

01:01the ATP circuit, the jerseys doesn't say India, but I'm still very much representing the country.

01:08And that I think is the biggest motivation and, you know, every single opportunity I've

01:13got, whether it was Davis Cup, Asian Games, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, I think there

01:18was a, when I was the team competition was there, I really enjoyed it.

01:22And I really, you know, push myself to do and play best tennis and bring out the best

01:29in me.

01:30And every time, you know, I feel I'm representing the entire country, you know, here in the

01:36tennis journey.

01:37I mean, there's hardly any tennis players coming out of the country.

01:39So every time we have big events like this Masters Series or Grand Slams and it says

01:44Rohan Bhopana India and somebody's reading about it, maybe there is some young kid who

01:48gets that inspiration and saying, oh yes, there is an Indian who's playing at these

01:52events and, you know, that's an inspiration for me if maybe somebody does pick up the

01:58sport.

01:59What's your biggest memory?

02:00Without a doubt, the 2010 Davis Cup match against Brazil.

02:04India played Brazil, you know, in Chennai.

02:08And I remember India had not been to the World Group Playoff for many, many years.

02:14So, you know, it was amazing to have been part of the tie.

02:19We were love two down in the first day and then we ended up coming back and winning it

02:23three to one.

02:24I ended up winning that fifth singles match and, you know, truly that has been the most

02:30memorable Davis Cup, you know, victory for me.

02:33And just being around, you know, so many players, different generations, the camaraderie

02:39which I have, you know, learnt, you know, so much from them, being around them and the

02:47camaraderie we shared on and off the court, I think is why I love Davis Cup and representing

02:51India for such a long time.

02:53My biggest advice, you know, for the generation who's coming up is not to be hurry in the

02:58process of trying to become a professional athlete.

03:02The journey is extremely difficult.

03:04There's a lot of discipline required.

03:07And it's a long, long process and just putting in the work day in, day out.

03:12I know all the coaches are telling these kids this, but they need to first believe it in

03:17themselves before anybody else around them, you know, are guiding them or supporting them.

03:23So I think the coaches, the parents want them to do well, but the number one thing is enjoy

03:29the journey.

03:30It is a long process and be happy where you are.