US Open LIVE: Eventhough Rohan Bopanna lost the US Open Men’s Doubles final, his incredible act of sportsmanship in the earning him the praise and respect from all quarters. The Indian voluntarily conceded a point in a tense final on Saturday. Bopanna alongside Matthew Ebden were facing Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.
Also Read: US Open Highlights: Ram-Salisbury duo defend title, defeat Bopanna-Ebden in Men’s Doubles final
Rohan Bopanna conceded point after the ball brushed his elbow
The incident occurred in the final set of the contest. Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden were trailing 2-4. Ebden hit a forehand that grazed the Indian’s right arm. Despite the chair umpire failing to notice it, Bopanna immediately acknowledged that it touched his elbow. He went up to the umpire and asked her to award the point to the opponents.
Speaking about the incident later after the match, Rohan Bopanna said, “When Matt hit that forehand crosscourt, the ball hit my elbow. I don’t think anybody really saw it, So I claimed it on myself. That’s the person I have been through my career. I really feel if something was not right, it was not right. It doesn’t matter what the scoreline or what the occasion of the match is,” he added.
Rohan Bopanna and Ebden went on to lose the match 6-2, 3-6, 4-6. Ram and Salisbury meanwhile went on to lift their third successive title at the US Open. After the win, Ram was quick to appreciate Bopanna for his act. “We have been playing for the better part of 20, 25 years on Tour together and I have never seen anything like that,” he said.
“Especially in a moment like that because we would have had no idea. It just shows what kind of guy he is and how deserving he is to at this point in his career playing for these kinds of titles. You are an inspiration to all of us,” he added.
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