Rohan Bopanna’s spectacular run at the US Open Doubles has again put Indian tennis on the global map. Bopanna joins an elite list of ‘global Indians’ in tennis. MSN salutes Rohan Bopanna’s spectacular US Open effort with Aisam Qureshi.
Rohan's fabulous run at the US Open is a story of inspiration. He had been dogged by sponsorship problems in the early part of his career, which virtually ended his singles play. Not the one to lose heart, Rohan fought his way back in doubles and is now ready to take the doubles legacy of Indian tennis forward. Prior to this US open feat, Rohan had his first big moment midway through 2008, when he won his first ATP doubles title in Los Angeles partnering with Eric Butorac. He hit his peak however in 2010 when he paired with Aisam to win the ATP tour title at Johannesburg.
MSN takes the opportunity to salute all the great Indian tennis moments in this special gallery.
Leander's 1996 Atlanta Olympic Bronze Medal
That was mighty special for Indian sport as it was the first individual Olympic Medal since KD Jadhav's feat during the 1952 Helsinki Olympics more than four decades ago.
Sania Mirza rewrites Indian women's tennis
Sania may have been engulfed by enough controversies on and off-the court, but few would ever argue about the role she played in getting Indian women's tennis a global statement. In 2004, when she beat Alona Bondarenko to become the first Indian player to win a WTA title, the world stood up and saluted her
Leander's decades of glory
Earlier this year when Leander Paes won the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title with Cara Black, he became the first male tennis player since Rod Laver to win any Wimbledon title in three different decades. Truly incredible.
Lee-Hesh's zone of their own
When Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes reached all four Grand Slam finals in 1999, it was the first time ever any doubles team had reached the final of all four Grand Slams in modern tennis era.
This is 'Hall of Fame'
One of the best moments not just for Indian tennis but for the game itself. Leander Paes winning the 2003 Wimbledon mixed doubles with Martina Navratilova. Nothing short of emotions at its very best.
When Idli-sambar proved too hot!
Headline world over in every daily. The day Ramesh Krishnan beat the World No.1 Swede Mats Wilander in 2nd round of Australian Open in 1989, Indian tennis got recognition of a lifetime. Someone said, if that had happened today, Ramesh would have been worshipped with probably a temple in Chennai. Ramesh also entered the last 8 at Wimbledon in 1986 apart from making the same grade in the US Open in 1981 and 87
Finally, Sania lands a Grand Slam title
It was a moment to cherish and a picture for every album. The best part of this win was it was least expected, which is why it was also most special. When Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi returned home after winning the Australian open Mixed Doubles title in 2009, the nation was soaked in celebrations
Asian colour to world tennis
Any first is a special. When Mahesh Bhupathi won his maiden Grand Slam title in 1997 partnering Rika Hiraki of Japan, it was a triumph for not just Indian tennis but Asian tennis as a whole.
Golden era of Indians at Wimbledon
Ramesh Krishnan was a great player for India but even he would agree his father Ramanathan was greater. His was truly 'a touch of tennis' (His book) especially at the All-England Club, where Ramanathan finished as a semi-finalist in two successive Wimbledon tournaments - 1961 and 1962
A cocktail of class and glamour
Vijay Amritraj was easily the unsung hero of Indian tennis. He never scaled dizzy heights in terms of title wins but his big wins surely puts him in the big league. That is why; it is difficult to single out a moment from Vijay's glorious career. For us, his massive win over John McEnroe in the first round at Cincinnati in 1984 plus 5 big career wins over Jimmy Connors simply stand out.
The new star in the making
It was a case of expecting the unexpected with Somdev Devvarman when he reached the final of the ATP Chennai Open in 2009. Somdev was an unheard name till then but suddenly the toast of a nation desperately looking for stars in men's singles.
Prodigy at his best
Yuki Bhambri's glorious feat of winning the Australian open junior singles in 2009 came exactly a few days after Somdev's feat at the ATP Chennai open. Gave Indian men's singles its second future hope.
When Nirupama took Indian women to a new territory
Long before Sania Mirza's feats, there was one Indian woman who scripted history for Indian tennis. Nirupama Vaidyanathan became the first Indian woman in the modern era to win a round at a Grand Slam when she beat Italy's Gloria Pizzichini in the 1999 Australian open.
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