Rohan Bopanna on Saturday achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the oldest player to secure a Grand Slam victory. Alongside Matthew Ebden, he defeated the Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori with a score of 7-6(0), 7-5 in the men’s doubles final of the 2024 Australian Open.
“Without a doubt the best moment in my career,” expressed Bopanna as mentioned on the Australian Open’s official website. “I had thoughts of quitting and stopping, but to just persevere and enjoy what I was doing, I think, was the best thing I told myself.”
This Moment. ❤️
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) January 27, 2024
Congratulations to Rohan Bopanna on his #AusOpen victory at 43! Age proves no barrier when talent and determination lead the way. #RohanBopannapic.twitter.com/YtDp98qqck
Individually, both players have secured grand slam titles before: Bopanna in the 2017 French Open mixed doubles and Ebden in the 2013 Australian Open mixed doubles as well as the 2022 Wimbledon men’s doubles. However, their recent victory together at this event marked their first shared trophy, following their loss in the previous year’s US Open final.
Bopanna, with 61 previous attempts in men’s doubles grand slam competitions, established a new record in the Open era before achieving success on Saturday. Additionally, after this tournament, he is poised to make history as the world’s oldest No. 1 tennis player.
Since partnering with Australian Ebden in the beginning of the previous year, he has established various records, such as becoming the oldest Masters champion, the oldest finalist in a Grand Slam, and the oldest player to secure a victory at the ATP Finals.
Bopanna’s Career Achievements
- 2009: Wins his first ATP doubles title with American partner Eric Butorac.
- 2010: Attains his inaugural Grand Slam men’s doubles final appearance at the US Open alongside Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.
- 2011: Makes his top-10 debut in doubles.
- 2012: Achieves the first Masters doubles title alongside fellow Indian player Mahesh Bhupathi, and they conclude as finalists in the ATP World Tour Finals.
- 2017: Secures his inaugural mixed doubles Grand Slam title by teaming up with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski at the French Open.
- 2023: By teaming up with Ebden, Bopanna attained the status of the oldest Masters champion. Furthermore, he made history as the oldest finalist at a Grand Slam when he reached the final of the US Open. Additionally, Bopanna holds the record as the oldest player to secure a victory at the ATP Finals.
- 2024: In the third round of the Australian Open, Bopanna secured his 500th doubles victory and, at the age of 43 years and 329 days, made history as the oldest man to clinch a Grand Slam doubles title. On Monday, at the age of 43 years and 331 days, he is set to achieve another milestone by becoming the oldest player to hold the world number one ranking in men’s doubles.
Bopanna attributes much of his recent success in his tennis career to Iyengar yoga, acknowledging its role in strengthening his legs and overall physical condition while enhancing his concentration on the court. Despite his age, he has no plans to retire from tennis, emphasizing that he is currently playing the best tennis of his life.
“I think the recovery is a huge aspect of where I’m really focusing on,” he added. “I have stopped going to the gym. I really do specific kind of work for my body. I do a lot of yoga. In the morning I do some meditation to just start off the day … which has really helped me be calmer and feel refreshed.
“As long as I’m enjoying and playing my best tennis, I don’t see there is any reason to really stop at the moment.”
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