Rohan Bopanna is happy that he is able to strike a winning form in the run up to the Grand Slams. Even though he has been defending points comfortably, the 36-year-old is keen to ride on the momentum and get into the top-10 of doubles to ensure an Indian entry for the Olympics.

It may be difficult to visualise, but Bopanna is practical that with his current rank of 13 and Leander Paes’s 54, it may not be possible to guarantee an Indian entry in doubles for the Rio Games.

“The cut-off for the London Olympics was 68,” recalled Bopanna, as he used the break from tennis owing to wet weather in Rome, for a brief chat, before his doubles semifinals, in partnership with Florin Mergea of Romania.

“We have been winning some close matches. It is good to get some confidence back. Most of the matches are decided on two or three points. The key is to string together four or five matches,” said Bopanna, sensing that he was getting close to winning a Grand Slam title.

“Winning a Grand Slam is not easy. So many different players are playing these days. In fact, very few top players are not playing doubles,” Bopanna observed.

This being the Olympic year, it is only natural that Bopanna finds a lot of players including Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco playing doubles in the professional circuit, in the Masters events, in particular.

“Even if I want to play doubles with Leander, we can’t get into the big events with our rank. Getting an entry in the ATP-500 events itself would be difficult,” said Bopanna. What about playing mixed doubles with Sania Mirza in the two Grand Slams before the Olympics, as possible preparation for the big stage, even though there may be a fight for her hand.

Yet to decide on partner

“I know that Sania is tied up for French Open mixed already. I am yet to finalise my partner. After French Open, if she is not fixed up with another partner, we may play together. I believe in a systematic approach. The main aim is to be in the top-10, and then take it from there,” he said.

Thus, Bopanna is not even interested to think about whom he would prefer as his partner, if he makes it to top-10 on June 6.

“Of course, I know that I can play with anyone who has a rank, Leander, Saketh, Yuki, if I am in the top-10. But it is not right to think that far now. Actually, I heard that for the next Olympics, the ITF is trying to restrict the partner’s rank to top-300. I also know that there are no wildcards this time in tennis.”

Bopanna said he was not thinking about the results or defending points.

“Basically, I am enjoying good tennis. I don’t think too much about other things,” concluded Bopanna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by Kamesh Srinivasan / New Delhi – May 15th, 2016

Chennai :

When Joshna Chinappa makes her flight bookings to take part in events on the other side of the world, she must ensure that she advances well into the tournament to even break even. Unbelievable? “If I make the main draw in a $25,000 event, I get about $400 for playing the first round,” she says. “But what’s $400. Flight costs $1000. So you are not really making much unless you are a top 10 player.”

Chinappa is just outside the top 10 (world No 13), but even she finds the unforgiving nature of the sport a bit tough at times. “It is hard because I pretty much do this on my own. I travel on my own so it is sometimes hard to be constantly motivated when you don’t have someone in your corner. A lot of girls I play with are in the top 15 and they always come with a team. So I am at a slight disadvantage but I have been playing and enjoying.”

Given that’s the case, has the 29-year-old ever contemplated giving it all up? The answer starts even before the question is completed. “I just love what I do,” she smiles. “I don’t know anything else. I have a limited time in this field and I just want to make the most of it.”

The Chennai girl, who was at the Indian Squash Academy (ISA) on Friday for an exhibition match-up with Malaysia’s Delia Arnold (No 15) and Dipika Pallikal (No 19), also spoke about how the sport is on the right path apropos equal pay. “It’s become so much better in squash. A lot of the big tournaments have equal pay but you are not going to have that all the time. There will be times when the men get paid more and there will be times when the women get paid more. It balances out somewhere down the line,” she says.

Pallikal chimes in. “Two days ago, it was announced that the 2017 World Open (Manchester) will be having equal pay for the first time. That’s a massive change. I’m a big believer in it and I hope our sport can set the standard.”

Given Pallikal and Chinappa cannot play together because of the absence of a doubles tour on the circuit, the former was happy to have a hit with her more senior partner. “We don’t tend to play with each other because of the absence of the absence of a doubles circuit. We only play once in four years during the Commonwealth Games. So it was nice to come back and enjoy a hit with her.”

The 24-year-old has slid down the rankings chart recently but isn’t too bothered about that. “Rankings aren’t as important for me as much as playing well and enjoying the game. I keep telling myself that if I play well, the rankings will automatically improve.”

Bigger tests await both women but they will first have to tackle giants Malaysia in the Asian Team Championship that begins in Chinese Taipei from May 11.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by Swaroop Swaminathan / May 07th, 2016

India have been clubbed with big names of the hockey world in Rio Olympics.

Star men’s hockey team striker SV Sunil feels India are much better prepared this time around for the Olympics than four years ago in London and said playing Germany in the Champions Trophy will them in good stead against the reigning champions in the Rio Games.

India are clubbed along side defending champions Germany, European champions Netherlands, Pan-American Games champions Argentina, Ireland and Canada in Pool B in the Rio Olympics. And Sunil, who vies to be at his best against the mighty Germans, said the Champions Trophy will provide them much-needed knowledge about top teams, including Germany.

“They (Germany) are the best team in the world. It is my priority to do well against them in the Champions Trophy and at the Olympics. Playing them in the Champions Trophy will help us understand their game better ahead of the Olympics. We discussed Germany in our previous team meetings and we are aware of their strength and weaknesses,” said Sunil.

Talking about eight-time champions India’s preparation for the Olympics, Sunil hoped for a much-better performance the team in Rio, unlike four years ago in London where they finished last among 12 teams.

“Last time, we paid more attention to fitness but this time, it is very different. We are paying attention to overall development as a team and the training has a lot to do with discipline and team spirit which I think has helped us on the field and in understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” he said.

“The approach we have for the Olympics this time is far more systematic and I feel we are on the right track,” the 27-year-old striker from Coorg added.

Sunil was named as the vice-captain of the team for last month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, where India finished runners-up. Asked about the new responsibility, he said: “I don’t feel that the role of vice-captain brings any pressure to my game. Being part of the team for so long, I have learnt to handle pressure and that helps me stick to my natural game.”

“Vice-captaincy for me is all about making the youngsters in the team understand their role and motivate them to play to their potential,” he added.

Hailing from a poor family, Sunil said he is indebted to hockey for what he is today. “Coming from a poor family in Coorg, hockey has given me everything I need to lead a comfortable life. And when I play, I remember what the game has given me for the sacrifices I have made. I will do everything to bring glory for the country,” he said.

Since making his debut in the senior team nine years ago, Sunil has gained the reputation of being ‘the fastest man on the turf’, a fact which chief coach Roelant Oltmans too agrees. “He (Sunil) is an attacker and brings something exceptional to the team. He understands our demands and he keeps questioning what we are doing in a positive way so that he can understand it and translate it to the younger players,” said Oltmans.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Sports / PTI / Bengaluru – Friday, May 06th, 2016

The domestic athletics season is set to kick off with the first Indian Grand Prix at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday, with the focus firmly on Olympic qualification.

Ten events for men and nine for women comprise the card in the one-day meet, which hopes to present an opportunity for a clutch of athletes to meet the qualifying norms for the Olympic Games.

For those who have already made the grade — 22 of them have attained the marks so far — the Grand Prix has little to offer, with their events — barring men’s and women’s shot put and men’s discus throw — not part of the programme.

Many of the leading lights are abroad as part of their preparations, including a clutch of jumpers who are training in South Africa.

Among those who are here, 400M runners MR Poovamma and Arokia Rajiv will be looking to kick off their quest for an Olympic berth in strong fashion. With the Asian Athletics Association deciding to cancel the Asian Grand Prix series this year, the two quartermilers have to rely on the domestic competitions, including next week’s Federation Cup, to meet the standards.

Poovamma will have to time 52.20 or better to make it to Rio while Arokia Rajiv, who had a very good last season, needs to touch 45.40.

Discus thrower Krishna Poonia, the first Indian woman to win a gold in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, will be making a comeback in New Delhi. Poonia, who finished sixth in the 2012 London Olympics, is returning to action after a gap of two years, post-surgery. The standard in women’s discus is 61 metres.

The javelin throwers, who are training under Australian coach Gary Calvert, will also be in focus while M A Prajusha and Renjith Maheswari lead the list among jumpers.

Events on Sunday: Men: 100M, 400M, 1500M, 3000M, Long jump, Triple jump; High jump; Shot put; Javelin, Discus.

Women: 100M, 400M, 1500M, 3000M, Long jump, Triple jump, Shot put, Javelin throw, Discus.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / by Agencies / New Delhi – April 23rd, 2016

Robin Uthappa, who has sparkled in the early round of matches, has put down his run of form to an uncluttered mind.

“I think a lot goes with feeling about the way I bat,” the KKR batsman-keeper said. “I feel very sorted about what my game plan is. There are no doubts, so there is a huge sense of clarity in my head. I am not worried if my technique is okay or not because I am constantly feeling good, having worked on my technique.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / April 22nd, 2016