India tennis great Rohan Bopanna recently spoke about the greatness of legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal. When asked to choose the greatest player out of the three, Bopanna gave a brilliant response. "Federer's elegance on the court is phenomenal, gracefully gliding with finesse, while Nadal's sheer power and determination dominates the clay. And then there's Djokovic, whose unmatched consistency and mental strength resemble a chess grandmaster strategizing every move meticulously. As for me, I'll say they're all GOATs, grazing on different pastures of tennis excellence," said Bopanna during a media briefing.
"Each player embodies excellence in their unique way, making it difficult to crown a single greatest of all time. Comparing them is akin to selecting the best flavor of ice cream-everyone has their preference, but each scoop holds its own undeniable appearance and deliciousness," he added.
42-year-old Bopanna, who recently won the Australian Open men's doubles title, along with Australia's Matthew Ebden, also opened up about his tennis journey.
"As the world's number one tennis player, my journey in the sport began at a young age with a passion ignited by the sight of my parents practicing the game with intriguing dynamics. While growing up, I was drawn to the court's energy and the artistry of the players, sparking a desire to emulate their grace and skillset. With unwavering determination and countless hours of practice, I honed my craft, striving for excellence with each swing of the racket. Through perseverance and dedication, I embarked on a journey that has led me to the pinnacle of the tennis world, where I continue to push the boundaries of my abilities and inspire others to pursue their dreams on the court," said Bopanna.
Bopanna also revealed the athlete, whom he admired the most during his early days.
"While growing up, I was fortunate to have a family where sports was a way of life, thanks to the active involvement of my parents. I can proudly say that my father played a pivotal role in shaping my passion for tennis. His guidance, encouragement, and support at every step laid the foundation for my journey in the sport. He instilled in me the values of discipline and hard work, that's been instrumental in my career. Additionally, I found inspiration in tennis legend Stefan Edberg. His unmatched skill, graceful demeanour on the court, and numerous accolades captured my admiration and fuelled my aspirations," he said.
Lastly, the Indian tennis great spoke about his four years of experience with ASICS.
"It's been a fantastic journey with ASICS for the past four and a half years. Their dedication to inno-vate technology and best-in-class products in footwear and apparel perfectly aligns with my own pursuit of peak performance. We share a passion for inspiring people to move and maintain your overall well-being. Together we have launched the 'Move Your Mind' campaign to spread more awareness about the importance of mental and physical benefits of exercise. This campaign showcases how movement of our body can have help us not only to regulate our mental health but also positively work on our holistic well-being," said Bopanna.