NEW DELHI: India's Rohan Bopanna on Saturday created history, becoming the oldest man in the Open Era to win a major men’s doubles title, teaming up with Matthew Ebden to win the Australian Open.
The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden overcame Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 to clinch the crown at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
Bopanna, who was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government for becoming the oldest first-time World No.1 in men's doubles recently, completed his mission to win his first Grand Slam men's doubles title.
After the win, the Indian tennis veteran expressed his gratitude to fans for supporting him and noted that there was no better partner than Ebden for the Grand Slam event.
"Totally amazing winning my first men's doubles Grand Slam. There is no better person than Matthew Ebden to be by my side and win this men's doubles Grand Slam. Thank you everyone for all the love and support. This victory is as much yours as mine. Really thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all the support and love you have shown me for years," Rohan Bopanna said after the victory in an audio sent by his team.
"And lastly never, never have any limitations and keep believing in yourselves because you never know when life can change and make it absolutely magical," he added.
Rohan Bopanna creates history, becomes oldest Grand Slam champion
Ebden also praised Bopanna and stated that the India ace is young at heart.
"What an amazing tournament," Ebden said. "Thanks to my amazing partner. He is 43 years old, this is his first men's Grand Slam doubles title! Age is not a number for this guy. He is young at heart. He is a champion and a warrior. He has fought hard alongside me the past year and I am forever grateful to him," Ebden said, according to ATP.
Bopanna, who made his 17th Australian Open appearance in this edition, comfortably wrapped up his maiden Grand Slam men's doubles title victory. Aged 43 years 329 days, he also became the oldest Grand Slam champion.
It is the first time Bopanna has won a major title, having lost in finals at the US Open in 2010 and 2023.
In the summit clash, Bopanna and Ebden dominated on serve throughout the one-hour, 40-minute match, winning 80 per cent (40/50) of games with their first delivery and not facing a break point to top off a fantastic week.
Bopanna is the third Indian man in the Open Era to win a major men's doubles title, following Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. On Monday, he will become the oldest top-ranked player in the ATP Doubles Rankings.
This was Bopanna's second Grand Slam triumph, his first in men's doubles. His previous Grand Slam victory came in mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada at the 2017 French Open.
(With inputs from ANI)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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