16 years after making his debut at the Australian Open, Rohan Bopanna has become the oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title of any sort.
Bopanna, who will turn 44 in March, clinched his first-ever major title in men’s doubles alongside Australia’s Matthew Ebden. The pair edged their way past Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 to clinch the Melbourne trophy. It is a milestone moment for Bopanna who has previously had to settle for runner-up at major events twice before. Although he has won a mixed doubles title at the 2017 French Open.
The triumph comes during the same week the Indian secured his position as world No.1 in men’s doubles from Monday. Becoming the oldest person to do so on the ATP Tour.
“You’ve definitely got to know how old I am, I’m sure,” he joked during the trophy presentation.
“I say I’m level 43, not age 43!
“Last time I had my in-laws here I actually won the mixed doubles, so I don’t know why they’re not coming more.”
It is a fairytale outcome for Bopanna who at one stage in his career contemplated retiring from the sport due to a lack of success. He has won 25 Tour titles so far in his career with the first of those triumphs occurring back in 2008.
“A couple of years ago, I sent a video message and said ‘I’m going to call it a day’ because I was not winning matches.” He said.
“I went five months without winning a match. I thought that was going to be the end of my journey … but perseverance inside me just kept me going and changed so many things.
“I found a wonderful partner.
As for Ebden, who is seven years younger than his doubles partner, it is the second time he has won a trophy in Melbourne. His first was back in 2013 when he triumphed in the mixed doubles alongside Jarmila Wolfe. He also won the 2022 Wimbledon title with Max Purcell.
“It’s been such a dream come true to win here in Australia in front of all our home fans,” he said.
“Thank you to all our Australian fans, it’s been my favourite tournament forever and I’ll keep coming back here forever.”
Bopanna has become the third Indian man in the Open Era to win a major men’s doubles title after Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.
