The fast-paced racket sport that can be played in two ways; in singles or in pairs. Tennis has been part of the Olympics since 1896 which was held in Athens. Starting off with only two categories, men’s singles and men’s doubles. Women were only allowed to compete in the sport for the Olympics after 1900 where they could compete only in Singles and mixed doubles.
Tennis has been a sport that has been followed by the Indian Youth when players like Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, Sashi Menon and so many more who won Davis Cup titles. India’s Tennis team was recognised in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics games when Leander Paes lost to Andere Agassi in the semi- finals but went on to win the Bronze. A sport which has changed a lot trough time where strength, stamina and technique have become the main aspects.
Summer 2016 holds a lot of promise in Rio for the Indian tennis Players, Rohan Bopanna, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza and Prathana Thombare.
Rohan Bopanna
The 6 ft 3 inch Rohan Bopanna is one of India’s best doubles talents.
Bopanna had wanted to go to Rio alongside 28-year-old Saketh Myneni, but the All-India Tennis Federation or AITA decided to pair him with 43-year-old Leander Paes, the two had to work together to find the perfect chemistry on the court.
“They have asked us to play together and that’s what we are going to do. When you go out to play, you play as professional players. We just have to go on court and play our tennis and try to gel together on court and try to find a way to win.” said Bopanna
The pair managed to find this chemistry in their second round match at the 2016 Davis Cup, where they just beat the Korean pair Seong Chan Hong and Hong Chung in straight sets. They hope that this chemistry and winning streak would help them clinch a medal in Rio 2016.
Leander Paes
One of the oldest players to hold a grand Slam title , Leander Paes is considered to be one of the best Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles player of all time.
He holds eight men’s doubles titles, ten mixed doubles titles, and an Olympic bronze medal ( interestingly, in the singles) in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Games, Pase became the first and only Indian Tennis player to compete in six consecutive Olympic games.
Paes, not having clinched an automatic spot to go to Rio 2016, has to find his rhythm with doubles World No. 13 Rohan Bopanna, who was not too happy with the association's decision to play together. Paes hopes to clinch another Olympic win to his already existing records.
Sania Mirza
The 29-year-old and world no 1 title holder in women's doubles, Sania Mirza is all set for success in Rio 2016.
Reaching success in the past two years with doubles partner Martina Hingis, playing alongside the young Indian is going to be a whole new ball game. Already training together in her own academy in Hyderabad with her father as coach, makes everything a whole lot easier. Being a major inspiration for the young tennis star, Sania is trying to take a lot of pressure away from her doubles partner,
With six grand slam titles in the bag – three each in the women‘s doubles and mixed doubles, the 2016 Time magazine's representative on the “ 100 most influential players” list Sania is hoping that she will be third time lucky to win an Olympic medal.
Prathana Thombare
The young right-handed bronze medal holder in the Asian Games, Prathana Thombare is not new to the tennis scene.
The 22-year-old from Barshi, Solapur is not apprehensive given that she is being partnered by Sania Mirza. "There are lot, Serena and Venus Williams together representing US and there is (Caroline) Garcia and (Kristina) Mladenovic (of France), who have recently won the French Open (in women's doubles), there are not only one but, I don't need to worry when you have world number 1 (with you) you cannot ask for any better I think."
With three singles titles and seventeen doubles titles in the ITF tour, Prathana and Sania are looking to bring glory home with an Olympic Medal.
