To inspire the next generation to be able to push all limits will be my legacy: Bopanna

Rohan Bopanna, 43, is an elder statesman of Indian tennis. He is excited to lead the pack at the Asian Games and wishes to inspire the next generation to push all limits. He believes that faith and belief are the only things that matter for success. He is an outspoken advocate of rewarding merit without caveats and feels there should be clear criteria for achievement in each sport. He is open to different roles if it makes a difference to the sport and athletes.

At 43, there is little Rohan Bopanna hasn’t seen in a career spanning more than two decades and even less that he regrets or aspires to.

His longevity as much a result of his stubbornness to push the limits as the dearth of challengers within the country, the ‘elder statesman’ of Indian tennis continues to be the star of the squad.

At the Delhi airport late on Wednesday night while leaving for what will certainly be his last Asian Games, the excitement among people rose only when Bopanna appeared even though others were already going through the formalities.

He posed gamely for photographs and jibed with the youngsters, relishing his role as the leader of the pack. But all he wishes is for them to be aspirational.

“To inspire the next generation to be able to push all limits, no matter what juncture of your career you are at – it doesn’t matter whether you are just starting your journey or in the middle or the fag end of it.

“I feel the sporting career is so short, if you can push all limits and still enjoy it, to be known as someone who persisted and constantly found ways to improve as an athlete, that would be my legacy,” Bopanna told The Hindu in an exclusive interaction soon after arrival here.

That’s easier said than done – it takes someone special to have the belief and ability to push himself for so long in a punishing sport and still remain at the top of his profession. That belief, Bopanna admits, is the only thing that matters for success.