Bopanna eyes captain’s role in the future as he exits the Davis Cup scene

Rohan Bopanna, senior pro, is open to taking on a mentorship role in the Indian Davis Cup team. He is proud to have played for the country and is confident that the current players will take things forward. He will continue playing on the ATP Tour but will not reconsider his decision to leave the Davis Cup.

In the last few years, Rohan Bopanna, by virtue of being the senior pro, has seemingly taken on a mentorship role within the Indian Davis Cup team. This was evident on Sunday as he sat on the captain’s chair for a good part of debutant Digvijay Pratap Singh’s rubber in the World Group II tie against Morocco.

As he exits the Davis Cup scene, Bopanna said the captain’s role was something that he would be open to in the future.

“If there is an opportunity, I will certainly look at it,” Bopanna said, after India’s 4-1 victory. “I can only see myself helping these players. I have spent so many years playing Davis Cup, week in and week out, through the tough moments and the big wins. If the opportunity comes, I would love to be in a place to guide these guys.”

Even as the 43-year-old looked ahead with optimism, his last Davis Cup tie was a bitter-sweet moment.

“It is sad to be leaving the Davis Cup team but I am simultaneously proud to have played for the country. I want to thank the entire nation, the captains I have played under... it has been a great journey.

“I was extremely happy with a win [vs. Morocco] and we have good players to take things forward and I will be supporting them. But for now, the two weeks off [during Davis Cup windows] will be spent with my family.”