New Delhi, Sep 10 : In the lead up to of the Davis Cup 2022 World Group I match against Norway the Indian tennis team suffered a huge setback after the most experienced player Rohan Bopanna resigned due to knee pain.The 42-year-old took to social networks to announce that he was given to take a rest indefinitely before beginning to take on another challenge.
“I have to make a difficult decision this week based on my unending love and dedication to representing my country and quit the Davis Cup team against Norway,” Bopanna said in a tweet.
“I have an injury to my knee and was instructed to rest it prior to training in the future,” he added.
The Indian team for the Davis Cup tie against Norway on 16 and 17 September was officially announced in July.In addition to Bopanna India’s top-ranked male singles player Ramkumar Ramanathan, Sumit Nagal, Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri and Mukund Sasikumar were also among the five players picked for the match.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has yet to announce the replacement of Bopanna for the Norway tie.
In the beginning in the year, Bopanna and Ramkumar won the doubles title at the Adelaide International ATP 250 in January.Bopanna was paired with Divij Sharan in March to assist India to win their playoff match against Denmark and bring India back in Group I.
However the 2017 French Open mixed doubles champion was eliminated in the first round in both mixed and men’s doubles matches during the US Open 2022.
The veteran Bopanna is a crucial part in India’s Davis Cup set-up over the years.He has played in 18 seasons with India which is third most of Indians.
Leander Paes has played in thirty Davis Cup seasons for India while Anand Amritraj featured in 19.
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