Bengaluru, Dec 27 (UNI) KSLTA joint secretary Sunil Yajman on Saturday said Rohan Bopanna’s career sends a powerful and timely message to Indian sport that dreams do not have deadlines, and that belief, when sustained by resilience, can rewrite even the most predictable endings.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony – Celebrating Rohan’s Legacy 2002-2025 – organised by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, Yajman said Bopanna’s journey stood apart in an era where many athletes begin to measure their careers by timelines rather than purpose.
He said that while most players seek a graceful exit, Bopanna created a career in which dignity seemed to follow him naturally, regardless of age, rankings or external expectations.
Addressing Bopanna directly, Yajman said he had watched his journey closely over many years, from moments of global acclaim to quieter phases that only those deeply connected with the sport truly understand. What consistently stood out, he said, was Bopanna’s courage to keep going when applause faded and doubts grew louder.
Yajman noted that there were long phases when many believed Bopanna’s story had already been written. However, the veteran doubles specialist trusted his work, stayed committed to the process and believed in himself, proving that resilience backed by conviction can change the final chapter of any career.
He said Bopanna’s recent achievements were not just extraordinary but deeply moving, as they came at a stage when most players would have stepped away. Winning Grand Slam titles, becoming world number one and competing on the biggest stages of world tennis at that phase, Yajman said, reflected a mindset stronger than talent or physical strength.
Beyond trophies and rankings, Yajman said what he admired most was the person Bopanna remained throughout his journey. He described him as grounded, gracious and deeply respectful of the game and the people around him, adding that Bopanna carried India with pride and commanded respect wherever he played.
Calling him a role model for young Indian players, Yajman said Bopanna proved that setbacks do not define an athlete but refine them.
He said Bopanna’s career reassured young players that progress is not about how quickly one arrives, but about how long one is willing to persist.
For followers of Indian tennis, Yajman said Bopanna remained a reminder of why belief in the sport endures, especially at a time when early success is often mistaken for lasting greatness.
Describing the occasion as deeply personal for the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, Yajman said Bopanna was not just one of India’s finest tennis players but one of their own, a boy who grew up on the same courts, rising from Coorg to become a global ambassador for Indian tennis.
He said Bopanna’s journey was built without shortcuts, driven instead by patience, humour and an extraordinary willingness to keep learning and evolving, achieving success with humility, dignity and unwavering respect for the game.
Yajman described Bopanna as a player who refused to quit when retirement was the popular conversation, choosing instead to set fresh goals.
He said Bopanna became world number one not by changing who he was, but by working harder, training smarter and believing longer than anyone else.
The journey, he said, delivered a simple lesson to young players: success is not about when you arrive, but about how long you are willing to fight.
Acknowledging the support behind Bopanna’s success, Yajman paid tribute to his parents for their sacrifices, recalling how they travelled with him from Coorg to Bengaluru for tournaments from the age of 10.
He also acknowledged the role of Bopanna’s wife Supriya and daughter Sita for providing emotional strength throughout his career.
Summing up Bopanna’s legacy, Yajman said his career teaches athletes that if hunger remains young, dreams never age, adding that by staying the course long enough, excellence eventually finds its way to you.
He concluded by inviting the audience to applaud “Karnataka’s Veer Kodava”, Rohan Bopanna, calling the moment a proud and emotional chapter in the story of Indian tennis.
Dreams have no deadlines: KSLTA hails Bopanna’s legacy
