’ Can’t keep dwelling on past: Bops

Chandigarh, July 14: Forget the past and communicate as much as possible — that’s how Rohan Bopanna plans to make his partnership with Leander Paes click at next month’s Olympics as he feels there is no point in holding on to the bitterness which has marred Indian tennis.

Bopanna, who wanted to play with Saketh Myneni but was teamed with Paes by the national association for Rio, says it’s better to forget a few episodes. And he credits the tough and lonely life on the ATP tour for helping him overcome such setbacks.

“You can’t keep dwelling on the past. If you do that, you never get positive. You have to look at what is the scenario today and look ahead tomorrow. Today’s thing is that me and Leander are going to Rio. We are getting practice and before Rio also we will have four- five days. I am going straight to Rio after Toronto, Leander will also be there. Those few days we will try to get practice as much as we can. And get prepared,” Bopanna said.

Asked how big a challenge it was to forget the past and gel with a player with whom he hasn’t shared a great relationship off the court, Bopanna said he is professional enough to deal with the situation.

“On the circuit we change partners very often. So we are used to that. In 2013, I played with Roger Vasselin and made the Wimbledon semis. It’s a matter of getting good practice and it can work. We just need some good communication going. Understand each other. It will definitely benefit us.

“The only thing we can do is practice a lot and get used to conditions. I am a person who can move on.”