#TFGtake: Why India should cry with Novak Djokovic

WORLD NO.1 Novak Djokovic’s first-round defeat to Juan Martin Del Potro has arguably been the biggest upset on the tennis circuit in the ongoing Rio Olympics. Currently, the Serb is at the helm of the men’s game, having achieved everything that the sport has to offer. Given his unprecedented success on the ATP tour, Djokovic has nothing left to prove!

That said, despite such dominance, Djokovic’s teary-eyed exit from the court was a clear indication of how much the Olympic stage meant to him. Moreover, the over-flowing, emotions further justified his love for his country and even highlighted his desire to represent his motherland with dignity at all times. 

Today, Djokovic is in the running for the greatest of all time (GOAT) tag, and many experts, including former players, don’t even consider Olympic success as a benchmark to determine an athlete’s greatness. Furthermore, tennis is and has always been an individual sport, and by the virtue of dominating the circuit for almost five years, the 12-time Grand Slam has brought enormous glory for his nation. But despite all this, Djokovic desperately wanted to win a medal for Serbia in Rio, and upon his failure, his dejection was glaringly visible. 

On the other hand, our Indian tennis stalwarts, Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna showed little dejection, let alone shedding a tear or two openly, following their shocking first round defeat at the hands of the relatively inexperienced Polish pair, Lukasz Kubot/Marcin Matkowski. 

Sure, Paes and Bopanna had their differences not too long ago, but after having been given the honor to represent their country, the duo should have called for truce. Instead, Paes was accused of not wanting to share a room with his partner in the Olympic village. In addition, his late arrival in Rio left Bopanna high and dry, with no hitting partner. In the end, the 36-year- old had to forcibly practice with a Serbian professional. 

While we didn’t expect the duo to bring home a medal, Paes/Bopanna could have easily avoided these unpleasant build-up and episodes by winning the first round, thereby sparing us with all this embarrassment. 

Looking back may be, Bopanna was right in picking Saketh Myneni as his partner before the AITA intervened. Sure, Bopanna/Myneni wouldn’t have conquered the event, but at least, the duo would have lost without much hullabaloo. While Paes has brought India enough glory in the past, it was no secret that he was playing only for the world record (only 7-time Olympian ever). 

Despite a humiliating loss, Paes expressed little anguish but quickly pointed out his desire to represent India once again at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Given the circumstances, Paes’ admission further highlighted his greed and selfishness!

Often, our tennis stars have been vocal about putting their country first above themselves. However, going by what transpired in London in 2012, and the ignominy of Rio, one wonders how much truth there is to these confessions and bold statements, for there is too much money and fame involved for individuals in tennis.

For over a decade, the younger generation of our country has been idolising the likes of Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Mirza, and Bopanna. Given their huge fan following, Paes and Bopanna should have known better to conduct themselves responsibly, rather than bringing disrepute to the nation. 

Rather than suppressing the truth and ignoring the sorry state of India’s representation in tennis, it’s time we recognize the true colors of our players. While Sania/Rohan might still get us a medal, the whole country at this moment will do well to weep alongside Djokovic.