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Journalism of Courage
Sachin Tendulkar wished Rohan Bopanna the best for the future after the Indian tennis star announced his retirement from the sport on Saturday. Bopanna is one of the only four Indians to win Grand Slam titles and had a career spanning more than 2 decades.
“Rohan, I’ve always believed that sport reveals character. Yours showed in every serve, every smile, every comeback. You proved that belief can outlast time. Wishing you many more winning moments off the court too,” Tendulkar posted on X.
“How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it’s time… I’m officially hanging up my racquet. From chopping wood in Coorg to strengthen my serve, to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world — it feels surreal. Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life,” Bopanna wrote in an emotional statement titled “A Goodbye… But Not The End” on his social media accounts.
“Starting my journey from a small town of Coorg in India, chopping blocks of wood to strengthen my serve, jogging through coffee estates to build stamina and chasing dreams on cracked courts to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world—it all feels surreal,” Bopanna wrote.
“Every time I stepped onto a court, it taught me perseverance, resilience to rise, to fight again when everything inside me said I couldn’t—and most of all, reminded me why I started and who I am,” he said.
Bopanna also paid tribute to his family, crediting them for their support throughout his career.. He thanked his parents for their sacrifices, his sister Rashmi for her constant encouragement, and his wife Supriya for being his “greatest partner off court.”. He dedicated a heartfelt note to his daughter, Tridha, saying she gave him “new purpose and a softer strength.
“Every match I played in these last years, I played for you—to show you that dreams are worth fighting for and that kindness and courage matter more than winning,” he wrote.
Bopanna’s final appearance was at the Paris Masters earlier this week, where he partnered Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, losing in the opening round. He had already ended his India career after the Paris Olympics last year while also hanging up his boots from the Davis Cup in 2023.
