Rohan Bopanna

At 44, Rohan Bopanna is ageing like fine wine. In fact, having long been in the shadow of Indian tennis stalwarts like Leander Paes or Sania Mirza, Bopanna has now established himself at the top of the tennis world. Having achieved a world no. 1 ranking for the first time in his career in doubles earlier this year, he won the 2024 Australian Open Men’s Doubles, and then reached the semis at the French Open. In the same court at Roland Garros, Bopanna will partner compatriot N Sriram Balaji, hoping to bring a first tennis medal to India since Paes in Atlanta 1996. Bopanna has tasted success at Roland Garros before (2017 French Open mixed doubles title). The chances of a medal might be slim, but it is still India’s best shot in years.