New Delhi: Ahead of the Davis Cup 2022 World Group I tie against Norway, the Indian tennis team on Saturday suffered a major blow after its most experienced player Rohan Bopanna pulled out due to knee inflammation.
The 42-year-old took to social media to inform that he was advised an indefinite rest before starting to compete again.
“I have had to make a tough call this week against my constant love and devotion towards representing the country and withdraw from the Davis Cup team against Norway,” Bopanna said in a tweet.
“I have an inflammation on my knee and have been advised to rest it before I start competing again,” he added.
The Indian team for the Davis Cup tie against Norway on September 16 and 17 was announced in July. Apart from Bopanna, India’s highest-ranked men’s singles player Ramkumar Ramanathan, Sumit Nagal, Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Yuki Bhambri and Mukund Sasikumar were the other five players selected for the tie.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) is yet to announce Bopanna’s replacement for the Norway tie.
Earlier in the year, Bopanna and Ramkumar won the doubles title at the Adelaide International ATP 250 in January. Bopanna teamed up with Divij Sharan in March to help India win their playoff tie against Denmark and get India back into Group I.
However, the 2017 French Open mixed doubles champion made first-round exits in both men’s and mixed doubles competitions at the US Open 2022.
Veteran Bopanna has been a vital cog in India’s Davis Cup set-up over the years. He has featured in 18 seasons for India, which is the third most among Indians. Leander Paes played in 30 Davis Cup seasons for India while Anand Amritraj featured in 19.
–IANS