At 42, Rohan Bopanna is ageing beautifully.

The Bangalorean’s recent form could probably be traced back to the pandemic enforced break he had in 2020 when he was able to treat the little niggles that had been bothering for a while then, besides spending precious time with his daughter.

Well recuperated and re-energised, the big serving Indian ace found the going tough in 2021 due to a variety of factors but mainly a lack of steady partner. But things clicked into gear last year in which he won three ATP titles, reached the French Open semis and the finals of two other tour events.

As the senior most active player, Bopanna has been the go-to player for his compatriots in matters of tennis. More recently, he has been associated with the ‘Doubles Dream of India’ project, which envisions providing year-round coaching and fitness support to India’s top-200 players with an aim to win majors and medals at the Olympics.

Bopanna spoke on his recent success on the men’s tour, the prospect of retirement, a coaching role after he hangs up his racquet and the doubles project:

It’s definitely been a fantastic year. I mean, to be able to push the limits, get to where I know I was playing good tennis, and getting back in the top-20 rankings, I feel that consistency through the year is what made the difference. And, playing with one partner helps, even though (Matwe) Middelkoop and me started a little late in the year, only in the clay-court season. But still, I think just building a good partnership made the difference.

And this year, I’m playing with Matt Ebden, looking forward to that starting next week from Adelaide. He’s had a fantastic year in 2022, as well. I think looking to enjoy the process of international travelling, being able to compete at a high level, I think that is what I’m enjoying the most.

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Yes, I’m definitely looking to play a full schedule. But it purely depends on how I’m feeling physically. Depends purely day to day. The biggest thing is more than a coach, I feel the travelling with the physio is extremely important. So nowadays, I may not practise as much but I’m still making sure I feel healthy on the court, so that I’m able to compete and play at a high level.

And I’m enjoying competing. Travelling with the family is always nice, we have a three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She’s enjoying watching some live tennis and this is really special to have them on the circuit as well. And if you see, compared with 2021, 2022 was a very different season for me. The first five months in 2021, I didn’t win a match. So you never know how the year can be and just have to really enjoy every moment. And I think that is what has really helped my tennis.

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I am 42, going to be 43 in March. At the end of the day, like I said, I’m still enjoying competing and that is the biggest thing. The day my mind and the body say it’s done, that’s when I really stop. Right now, it’s still great to keep pushing and playing the circuit, and really enjoying travelling and playing the highest level of tournaments. And so there’s really no reason to think of that.

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I really don’t know, I never really gave that aspect (coaching) much thought. Because at the end of the day, that’s again 30 weeks of travel. Wherever I feel I can bring my experience and help in some way athletes who can benefit from their programme. I was playing Iga, her coach himself said ‘if you actually see what can help, please let her know’. And I think I just gave her a small tip on how to get a little more power to her volleys. But this is something that just naturally comes to me. I’m happy to give feedback to the guys and our girls wherever they need. I’m open for communication and this has been my biggest strength for so many years.

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I am happy there is some support for the players at the highest level, no matter singles or doubles. What matters is whether you are still playing the sport or not. Apart from Rajeev Ram, there are no Indian-origin players, I am not talking about Indian players but Indian-origin players, who are in the top-200. Education is such a big priority for us, that players are leaving the sport. So, even when there is support, there is no Indian-origin player who is in the top-200.