Adam Pavlasek on Rohan Bopanna: “Lucky to Share the Court with an Indian Legend”
Fresh off a stunning comeback win in the second round of the men’s doubles at Roland Garros 2025, Czech tennis player Adam Pavlásek sat down with us to reflect on the rollercoaster victory alongside partner Rohan Bopanna.
The Indo-Czech duo overcame home favorites Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul in a tense three-set battle, silencing a raucous French crowd and booking a spot in the Round of 16.
In this exclusive interview, Pavlásek shares insights on their partnership, the electric Parisian atmosphere, and what it’s like to team up with a legend like Bopanna on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
Q) Thoughts on the match
Pavlasek – We played an unbelievable match. We had a lot of chances in the first set even, we were a break up, but just didn’t make it. Overall, we were a bit lucky as we were a set and a break down. They were serving for the match. But we didn’t play that bad. We knew our opponents were playing unbelievable – they made finals in the Rome Masters and won a 250 title in Geneva few days ago. They know each other pretty well.
With Rohan, you have to be positive. He is still playing unbelievable. He has big weapons – serve and even return. My thoughts is that in the 2nd set we were just improving. We were lucky that we survived the 6-5 game in the 2nd set where they were serving. We survived the tiebreak. Then from 3rd set onwards we improved our level a lot.
Q) The crowd was against you. How did you manage it?
Pavlasek – We knew it already because the French crowd is always more electric and screaming. I like it even if they are cheering for the opponents. The atmosphere was nice. Me and Rohan were both prepared for it. Actually I was just enjoying the atmosphere even if they were shouting for the home players. I was trying to still focus on every point and do our best.
Q) How did this partnership with Rohan come about?
Pavlasek – I was pretty lucky and I appreciate Rohan for it. During the Madrid week, he said he was looking for someone for 3 weeks – Rome, Geneva and Roland-Garros. So we started talking. Just really lucky to share the court with this Indian legend and I am trying to learn every single moment from Rohan.
And I know he is defending semi-final points here from last season, so I would like to help him to achieve it again.
Q) How do you think your games are complementing each other?
Pavlasek – I really like how Rohan is playing. He is very dangerous. He has such a big weapon on the serve, even the return. His strokes are pretty strong, which I like. If he’s on fire, he can break everyone and even make four aces in a row. His game style overall is pretty dangerous.
