AITA confirms Rohan Bopanna will pair with N Sriram Balaji at Paris Games

NEW DELHI: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has officially announced that Rohan Bopanna will team up with N Sriram Balaji to represent India in the men's doubles competition at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This confirmation comes after reports from PTI suggesting that the 44-year-old Bopanna had chosen Balaji as his partner for his final attempt at securing an Olympic medal.In a press release, AITA expressed their excitement, stating, "The All India Tennis Association (AITA) is thrilled to announce that Rohan Bopanna and N. Sriram Balaji have qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 in the tennis doubles event. Their journey to the Olympics marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis."The decision was reached during a selection committee meeting, presided over by Nandan Bal, a former Davis Cup Captain. Although Yuki Bhambri, India's second-ranked doubles player, was also considered, AITA sources revealed that Balaji's agility on the court ultimately tipped the scales in his favor.Balachandran Manikkath, who is affiliated with Bopanna's Sports School in Bengaluru, will accompany the team as their coach, while Rebecca Van Orshaegen will serve as the physiotherapist.