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Ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, the Indian tennis duo of Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji are all set to compete in two clay-court tournaments, in Hamburg and Umag, in the lead-up to the Games. The tennis events at the Games will be played at Roland Garros.
"We will be playing in ATP 500 Hamburg (Germany) and ATP 250 Umag (Croatia). We will be getting together right after the completion of Wimbledon," Balaji was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Balaji is currently in England, taking part in the ATP Ilkley Challenger. Bopanna and Balaji will get together after Wimbledon and will compete in the two clay-court events.
Balaji, who will partner with Bopanna, made the cut for the Paris Olympics after Bopanna suggested his name ahead of Yuki Bhambri to the All India Tennis Association (AITA).
Before making the suggestion to the AITA, Bopanna got a glimpse of Balaji's potential in the third round of the French Open. Balaji and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela entered the main draw as alternates and were up against Bopanna and Matthew Ebden. The second seeds went on to win the three-set contest that was closely contested.
Sriram Balaji is set for his maiden Games at the Paris Olympics 2024
India's Sriram Balaji has had to wait for a long time for his opportunity. His dream of playing at the Olympics is finally set to turn into reality.
The 34-year-old tennis player, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is currently at his peak ranking of 62nd in doubles. He is now set for his first appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris.
On being chosen to represent the country, Sriram expressed what it means to him. He also went on to talk about his French Open performance and his selection for the Paris Olympics.
"It is a dream-come-true moment and it is always special when you play for the country. I am happy that Rohan chose me as his partner, and I am looking forward to the Olympics. Playing in Paris was always in the back of my mind, with Yuki and me ranked the highest among the Indians (behind Bopanna)," he told the aforementioned publication.
"The French Open performance played its part, but I will not say that it was the only reason for my selection. After the match, Bopanna told me that he was going to pick me and send an email to the AITA. He would have had a lot of discussions with his coach Scott [Davidoff] and Balu sir (M Balachandran) for the ideal choice and I did not know anything about this," he concluded.
