Internet Desk: Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lost 6-2, 2-6, 3-10 to US’ Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram in the Rio Olympics 2016 mixed doubles tennis event on Saturday which ended India’s dream for a Gold medal in tennis.
Ram is actually of Indian origin, having been born to Indian parents and soon after the match, he stated this in an interview: “I will be the most hated person in India today. I am a first generation American having been born in the US in 1984.”
Many people might know that the 32-year old has Indian roots, but what many don’t know is that he was on the verge of representing India in tennis.
Ram was born in Denver to Indian parents who belonged from Bangalore and soon moved with his family to Indianapolis and pursued his schooling there. He completed his college at the University of Illinois and in between also played in junior Grand Slam tournaments, finishing as runner-up in the Boy’s Doubles tournament at the 2002 US Open.
Ram actually wanted to represent India in professional tennis but having spent all his life in America, he wasn’t able to get an Indian passport and it was difficult for him to give up his US passport as his parents were living there.
Ram eventually turned pro in 2004 and has represented USA ever since. He has won a total of two Singles titles and nine Doubles titles. Ram has been better in the Doubles format compared to Singles as he has reached two Grand Slam semi-finals with the most recent one coming at the Wimbledon.
The son of Raghav and Sushma Ram, who had migrated to the US from Bangalore was in a poignant mood amidst all the celebration by US fans in the stands. But as per news last received, Ram who once partnered Rohan Bopanna in 2013 missed out on his Gold medal as the duo of Venus-Ram lost the Final of Mixed Doubles to Bethanie Mattek/ack Sock 6-7, 6-1, 10-7.