The
Indian veteran is now the oldest grand slam champion.
Source: Kerala Kaumudi
On Saturday, January 27th 2024 Rohan Bopanna won a men’s doubles Grand Slam title becoming only the third Indian to win. He took the Australian open crown with his partner Mathew Ebden following a commanding win over Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. In a high-quality game of Tennis, second seeded Boppana and Ebden won 7-6 (0), 7-5 against the Italian team in the final. It lasted one hour thirty-nine minutes. Only Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won major titles for India men’s tennis while Sania Mirza did it in women’s tennis. For Bopanna it is his second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open mixed doubles trophy with Canada’s Gabriel Dabrowski in 2017. At 43 Bopanna also became the oldest Grand Slam Champion in men’s tennis. He bettered the record of Jean-Jullien Rojer who, at age of 40, had lifted the French Open men’s doubles trophy in 2022 with Marcelo Arevola. Bopanna was playing his third men’s double final at Grand Slam events, having ended runner up at US open twice (2013, 2023). “ A couple of years ago I said in a video message, I am going to call it a day because I was not winning matches. I went five months without winning a match. I thought that was the end of my journey but my perseverance, and (so nothing ) inside me kept me going ”, Bopanna said after his triumph. “ It really changed so many things, I got a wonderful partner to get me to all the laurels”, he added Bopanna is already asured of becoming the new number one on Monday when the ATP rankings will be updated. At 43, he will be the oldest player to be perched on top ranking pile. Bopanna acknowledged the contribution of his Australian partner Ebden and his american coach Scott Davidoff in his success story. “ It was not possible, If I had not this fantastic Ausie partner by my side, so thanks to Matty. We had a fantastic season last year and for me to win to win my first Grand Slam men’s doubles Grand Slam here at the Asia-Pacific is special. “ Tennis is such a great teacher Scott has been such a great teacher who has been with me for over a decade. It was a tough, tough journey, this victory is as much yours as much it is mine”, Bopanna said. On a lighter note he said, “ I have my in-laws in here. The last time they came I won my first mixed doubles. I don’t you why they do not come more often.” Ebden who had won men’s doubles, too, praised the Indian. “ Age truly is really not a number for this guy He is a champion, he is a warrior, I am forever grateful to you and your amazing team, thank you mate!,” said Ebden. Ebden came serving for the championship and they closed the match with Bopanna executing a fierce overhead smash on a return from his rivals.
Ref: The Hindu Newspaper.
