Rohan Bopanna receives Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu [Watch]

Rohan Bopanna is a two-time Grand Slam champion.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Rohan Bopanna was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the country, by India’s President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday (April 22).

Bopanna was given the award for his elite performances in tennis over the years. He along with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, secured the Miami Open men’s doubles title in March. Before this, the duo won the Australian Open earlier this year.

Indian tennis legend @rohanbopanna is conferred with the Padma Shri Award by President Droupadi Murmu! 🗞Congratulations legend! 🇮🇳👏👏pic.twitter.com/cmGKyN24sF

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) April 22, 2024

Rohan Bopanna, who turned professional in 2003, has been one of the biggest names in Indian tennis. After turning pro, Bopanna played singles tennis for a few years, where he also played against the likes of Roger Federer. However, he later transitioned into a doubles specialist. 

In 2008, he won his first ATP doubles title alongside Eric Butorac at the Los Angeles Open. Rohan Bopanna also teamed up with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi to win the Halle Open and the Paris Masters in 2010 and 2011 respectively. However, Bopanna’s first big win came in 2017, when he won the French Open mixed doubles title alongside Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski after an astounding campaign.

The Indian tennis icon also reached the final of the Australian Open and US Open on several occasions in men’s doubles and mixed doubles events. However, at most junctures, the 44-year-old was on the losing end.

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Nevertheless, that changed in 2024, when Bopanna teamed up with Australia’s Matthew Ebden to defeat the Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5, to lift the prestigious Australian Open title. With the win, Rohan Bopanna also reached his career-best ATP ranking of World No. 1 while Ebden was second. 

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At the age of 43 years and 329 days, the Indian tennis star also became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam. The Indian star would be looking forward to winning a medal for his nation at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

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