Top five best-performing Indian players at French Open

Mahesh Bhupathi has been India’s most decorated performer at the French Open.

Indian tennis players have left an indelible mark at Roland Garros, making history with landmark victories in doubles and mixed doubles. From Mahesh Bhupathi’s breakthrough Grand Slam win in 1997 to Rohan Bopanna’s emotional triumph two decades later, these milestones have not only inspired future generations but also elevated India’s presence on the global tennis stage.

While the country struggles for success on the singles front, they have witnessed multiple triumphs in the doubles field. Here’s a look at five defining moments for Indian tennis on Parisian clay.

1997: Mahesh Bhupathi, mixed doubles title with Rika Hiraki

In 1997, Mahesh Bhupathi made history as the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title by capturing the French Open mixed doubles crown alongside Japan’s Rika Hiraki. Remarkably, it was Bhupathi’s debut in mixed doubles at a major, and the duo had only just made it into the draw as the last team, with Hiraki ranked No. 30 and Bhupathi No. 52.

Despite their lack of experience and a three-set win in the opening match. The pair found their rhythm and defeated four seeded teams to reach the final, where they delivered a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory over top seeds Lisa Raymond and Patrick Galbraith of the USA.

1999 and 2001: Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes

The partnership of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, famously dubbed the ‘Indian Express,’ achieved historic milestones at the French Open, first making global headlines in 1999 when they reached the men’s doubles final at all four Grand Slam tournaments and became the first Indian pair to win a major title by triumphing over Goran Ivanisevic and Jeff Tarango 6-2, 7-5 in Paris.

Despite cracks appearing in their partnership soon after, culminating in a split in 2000 and a brief reunion at the Sydney Olympics, the duo’s remarkable chemistry and resilience shone through again at the 2001 French Open. Unseeded, Paes and Bhupathi stormed past top-seeded opponents and clinched their second Roland Garros crown by defeating Petr Pala and Pavel Vizner 7-6, 6-3 in the final.

2012: Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi captured their second Grand Slam title together at the 2012 French Open, defeating Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Klaudia Jans-Ignacik of Poland 7-6, 6-1 in the mixed doubles final. Remarkably, this victory marked Bhupathi’s 12th and final major title, and, in a stunning coincidence, it came on his birthday, just as his very first Grand Slam win had.

2016: Leander Paes, mixed doubles title with Martina Hingis

In 2016, Leander Paes achieved the rare distinction of completing a Career Grand Slam in mixed doubles by clinching the French Open title alongside Martina Hingis. The Indo-Swiss duo showcased their trademark resilience in a thrilling final, edging out second seeds Ivan Dodig and Sania Mirza 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 in a tense contest that lasted an hour and 28 minutes.

Reflecting on the milestone, the 42-year-old Paes told India Today, “This is the one Grand Slam that was missing from my showcase, and to complete it after so many years after the men’s career Grand Slam has made it a full career.”

2017: Rohan Bopanna, mixed doubles title with Gabriela Dabrowski

After years of persistence, Rohan Bopanna finally broke through on the Grand Slam stage by winning the 2017 French Open mixed doubles title with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski, marking a career-defining moment for the Indian tennis veteran.

It was the first mixed doubles final for both players, and the duo showed remarkable composure as Bopanna, then 37, held his serve throughout the match to help secure a hard-fought 2-6, 6-2, (12-10) victory over Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Robert Farah.

Calling the achievement “truly special,” Bopanna reflected on his long journey, emphasizing that winning a Grand Slam had always been a dream and that his perseverance and dedication had finally paid off.

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