Bopanna blames it on gruelling schedule for knee injury

Injured Bopanna, who pulled out of the Davis Cup tie against Spain, also expressed his disappointment at how the players weren't consulted before the surface and timings were decided.

Rohan Bopanna picked up the knee injury while at the US Open where, partnering Frederik Nielsen, he crashed out in the second round.

Rohan Bopanna cited a gruelling schedule starting from the Mutua Madrid Open in early May which ultimately led to a knee injury as the prime reason for his pullout from India’s Davis Cup World Group play-off against Spain next week.

“Ever since Madrid, I have been literally on the road,” Bopanna told Sportstar . “It is a problem with my knee and I have been advised a minimum of ten days' rest.”

The 36-year-old picked up the injury while at the US Open where, partnering Frederik Nielsen, he crashed out in the second round.

“I used to have this shooting pain when I served, or when I landed. I was taping it during practise. But not during the matches as it was uncomfortable. I took some treatment while in New York as well.”

Even as he prepared to sit out of the tie, Bopanna expressed his disappointment at how the players weren’t consulted before the surface and timings were decided.

“It’s unfortunate. Against Spain we had to play on grass come what may. The Spain squad is such that it is good enough to win the Davis Cup title itself. We had to have how much ever home advantage we could. We focus so much and train so hard from the round one of the competition, it’s disappointing [not to be asked].”

“But what’s done is done. We have nothing to lose. The boys just need to go out and enjoy.”