'I'm at Level 43, not age 43,' asserts Rohan Bopanna after historic Australian Open 2024 triumph

Published at :January 27, 2024 at 11:02 PM

Modified at :January 27, 2024 at 11:02 PM

(Courtesy : TOI)

Rohan Boppana became oldest player to win Grand Slam

Rohan Bopanna achieved a historic feat on Saturday by becoming the oldest player to win a Grand Slam title, a glorious day for Indian tennis. The 43-year-old Indian tennis star inspired people and players to have faith in themselves and not set boundaries.

Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden showed a superb performance at the Rod Laver Arena to win their first Australian Open men’s doubles title as a team. The Indian tennis player expressed his appreciation to fans for their support and said that Matthew Ebden was the perfect person for the Grand Slam event.

“Without a doubt the best moment in my career,” Bopanna said afterward. “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.

“For years and years I’ve been trying to, you know, get there. I mean, the hurdle was tough.”

“It’s incredible to win my first men’s doubles Grand Slam. There is no one better than Matthew Ebden to be with me and win this men’s doubles Grand Slam. I appreciate everyone for all the love and support. This victory is as much yours as mine. I thank you from the depth of my heart. I thank you for all the support and love you have given me for years,” Rohan Bopanna said after the victory. “You must be aware of my age by now, laughs, but I would say I am at level 43 not the age 43,” he added.

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Bopanna, who participated in his 17th Australian Open in this edition, smoothly sealed his maiden Grand Slam men’s doubles title victory. Aged 43 years 329 days, he also became the oldest Grand Slam champion beating. It is the first time Bopanna has won a major title in men’s doubles, having lost in finals at the US Open in 2010 and 2023.

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Bopanna and Ebden were dominant on serve throughout the one-hour, 40-minute match, winning 80 percent (40/50) of games with their first delivery and not facing a break point to end 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.

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