Bopanna’s Halle of ‘fame’

So, is Federer the luckiest, or is Bopanna the unluckiest? These are thoughts, however, not crowding Bopanna’s mind at the moment. The magnitude of the occasion — of playing a man who seems to have made the Center Court at Wimbledon his personal theatre where he delivers an endless array of sterling performances — is not lost on the 26-year-old.

The Indian, whose singles ranking is only 266 places below Federer, at 267, is perfectly happy to be handed with such an opportunity. “It’s a great chance, I just have to put in my best and enjoy the experience”, said Bopanna, speaking to The Indian Express from Halle.

Other than winning, of course, what would he rate as a good performance? “Well, if I manage to take a set off him it would be splendid,” he said, laughing, “but I am glad just to be playing a guy of his class.”

Whether or not he makes the world indulge in a collective jaw-drop by causing a major upset or ends up as roadkill, one thing’s for sure: this experience can do Bopanna a world of good. He showed he’s no pushover on the court at India’s Davis Cup clash against Sweden where he gave Thomas Johansson no end of a hard time before last year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist tamed him in three tie-break sets. Bopanna can learn a lesson in grasscourt craft from the man who does it better than anyone.

After this tournament, the Indian moves on to continue his grasscourt campaign in the qualifiers for Wimbledon, and he can take a lot of heart from his performance this week. “I am very comfortable on grass; I think it’s my favourite surface,” says Rohan.

Well, it’s Federer’s as well, but optimism never hurt anyone.