Recently, the 6'3'' from Coorg in Karnataka became the oldest athlete to recently reach the world's number one men's doubles ranking.
Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden celebrating their win. (AustralianOpen/X)
India’s tennis superstar Rohan Bopanna became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam, on Saturday, 27 January.
The 43-year-old and his partner Matthew Ebden from Australia defeated Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (7-0) 7-5 in straight sets at the 2024 Australian Open final at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The pair did not lose a single game and won the first set in a super tie-breaker with a clean sweep.
This week, the 6’3” from Coorg in Karnataka became the oldest athlete to recently reach the world’s number one men’s doubles ranking. It will be reflected in the ATP rankings to be released on Monday, 29 January.
He also became the oldest player to win an ATP Masters 1000 title when the duo lifted the Indian Wells Masters Cup in California in March last year.
Speaking to South First, Bopanna’s father, MG Bopanna said, “We are all very, very happy about this achievement. This week has been tremendous for him as he has made many records. On top of it, he was also awarded the Padma Shri by the government after the Arjuna Award and Eklavya Award by the state government.”
With a second Grand Slam under his belt — after the 2017 French Open mixed doubles partnering with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski — Bopanna becomes the second Indian to win the Australian Open men’s doubles after Leander Paes in 2012.
Bopanna and Ebden also won a prize money of AUD 365,000 (approximately ₹2 crore) each.
After the match, Bopanna said, “You got to know how old I am… for me to win first men’s doubles grand slam is totally great… thanks… I am level 43, not age 43!”
Doubles delight 🏆🏆@rohanbopanna 🇮🇳 and @mattebden 🇦🇺 defeat Italian duo Bolelli/Vavassori 🇮🇹 7-6(0) 7-5. @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/WaR2KXF9kp
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2024
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