Updated On: 01 July, 2021 07:57 AM IST | New Delhi | PTI
The limited number of opportunities in terms of tournaments due to the COVID-19 lockdown and travel restrictions made it tough for both Bopanna and Sharan to improve their rankings. Bopanna was ranked 38th at the start of the year while Sharan`s ranking only got worse after starting at number 63.

Rohan Bopanna. Pic/AFP
In a setback to India`s medal chances in the tennis event of Tokyo Olympics, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan have missed the cut for men`s doubles, which also rules out the country`s presence in the mixed team competition, its best chance for a podium finish. It was expected that with a low combined ranking of 113, Bopanna (38) and left-handed Sharan`s (75) entry would depend only on large scale withdrawals. "
The ITF has confirmed that Bopanna and Divij could not be entered as a team in the men`s doubles team. However, things might change till July 16 (if there are more withdrawals)," an AITA source told PTI. When All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary General Anil Dhupar was contacted, he said he will be able to give a clear picture only when he has the complete entry list in his hands. Despite some withdrawals, the cut for 22 teams out of 24 direct acceptances was as high as in mid-60s, according to sources but the final cut-off could not be confirmed. Even if there are more withdrawals, it will be extremely difficult for India to have a team in men`s doubles. The priority would first be given to singles ranked players, then the singles-doubles combination and then the doubles-doubles ranking combination.