Rohan Bopanna chooses N Sriram Balaji as his partner for the Paris Olympics 2024

World number four Rohan Bopanna has chosen N Sriram Balaji, who impressed him with his performance at the French Open, as his partner for the Paris Olympics 2024.

Rohan Bopanna wrote an email to All India Tennis Association (AITA) informing him of his decision. This email has also been sent to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). AITA has also confirmed this.

Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024: Indian athletes who qualified for the Paris 2024

Balaji lost to Bopanna

Balaji and his Mexican partner MA Reyes-Varela Martinez suffered a tough defeat against Bopanna and Australia's Matthew Ebden in the third round of men's doubles at the French Open on Monday.

Apart from serving well, Balaji impressed with his play on the baseline and at the net, prompting Rohan Bopanna to decide that the Coimbatore will be his partner when he returns to Roland Garros next month in his final bid to win an Olympic medal.

Bopanna came close to winning an Olympic medal

Rohan Bopanna came close to winning an Olympic medal during the Rio Games but the pair of him and Sania Mirza had to face defeat against the Czech Republic pair of Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecka in the mixed doubles bronze medal match.

Yuki Bhambri was also in contention

Meanwhile, India's second-ranked doubles player Yuki Bhambri, ranked 52nd in the world rankings, was also in contention. Yuki crashed out in the first round of the French Open with French partner Albano Olivetti but has enjoyed success on clay courts this season. He won the ATP 250 tournament in Munich and finished runner-up at another ATP 250 tournament in Lyon with the same partner.

When contacted, AITA general secretary Anil Dhupar said he had no objection to Rohan Bopanna playing with 84th-ranked Balaji in the Paris Olympics. The selection committee is headed by former Davis Cup player Nandan Bal who also indicated that he would support Bopanna.

Former Davis Cup players Balram Singh, Mustafa Ghouse, and Sai Jailakshmi are the other members of the selection panel.

Also Read: Amit Panghal earns India's fifth Paris Olympics 2024 quota in Boxing

ITF will reallocate unused quota places on July 8

The ATP/WTA rankings as of June 10 will be considered for entries. The ITF must inform all federations about their eligible players by June 12. All national sports federations must confirm their entries to the ITF by 19 June. The ITF will reallocate unused quota places on July 8.