India’s Rohan Bopanna on Saturday created history by becoming the oldest man to win a major men’s doubles title in the Open era, partnering Australian Matthew Ebden to win the Australian Open.
43 साल के रोहन बोपन्ना ने रचा इतिहास, एक साथ बनाए दो रिकॉर्ड
India’s Rohan Bopanna on Saturday created history by becoming the oldest man to win a major men’s doubles title in the Open era, partnering Australian Matthew Ebden to win the Australian Open. The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden defeated Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavasori 7-6(0), 7-5 to clinch the crown at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
Bopanna, who was recently awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for becoming the oldest first-time World No. 1 in men’s doubles, completed his mission to win his first Grand Slam men’s doubles title.
Bopanna and Ebden dominated on serve during an hour, 40 minute clash, winning 80 per cent (40/50) points on their first serves and not facing a break point to complete a dream week.
Bopanna, who won her first Grand Slam title in the form of mixed doubles title with Gabriela Dabrowski at the French Open in 2017, and Ebden produced their best tennis performances at crucial stages. He came back to take a commanding lead in the first set tie-break before getting a crucial break of the second set in the 11th game. Second seeds Bopanna and Ebden won all seven tie-breaks they played at the hard-court major.
After the match point, the chests of Indian and Australian players collided. The celebration involved Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, as well as American greats Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, falling on the court. Bopanna and Ebden then got to their feet to enjoy the noise of the crowd.
This is the first time Bopanna has won a major men’s doubles title, having lost in the US Open finals in 2010 and 2023. Bopanna, 43, is the third Indian man to win a major men’s doubles title in the Open era. He will also become the oldest No. 1 in the ATP doubles rankings on Monday.
Ebden, 36, has now won two major men’s doubles titles, winning Wimbledon in 2022 with Max Purcell. He is the 28th Australian man to win the Australian Open men’s doubles crown.
Bopanna is the fourth Indian overall to win a Grand Slam title after Paes, Bhupathi and Mirza and now joins the list of star tennis players who were also honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award on Thursday.
On March 4, 1980, M.G., a coffee planter from Kodagu district in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Born to Bopanna and Malika Bopanna, a housewife, Bopanna started playing tennis at the age of 11 because his father wanted him to pursue the sport.
Although he also enjoyed sports such as hockey and football, by the age of 19, tennis became young Rohan’s calling card and he won his first ITF junior singles title in 1997 at the age of 17. Bopanna turned professional in 2003 at ITF level after gaining experience in both singles and doubles at junior and senior level.
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