Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden advanced to the final of the Australian Open men's doubles after defeating Tomas Machac and Zhang Zhizhen in a hard-fought semifinal match. The India-Australia pair clinched victory with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7), showcasing their resilience and skill on the court.
Rohan Bopanna, World No.1 At 43
The remarkable journey to the Australian Open final unfolded just a day after Rohan Bopanna made history by becoming the oldest tennis player to attain the World Number 1 ranking. At the age of 43, Bopanna secured this milestone in men's doubles history, surpassing the previous record held by US player Mike Bryan, who achieved the feat at 41.
Bopanna's 500th Career Win
In addition to his historic ascent to the top spot, Bopanna marked another significant achievement during the ongoing Australian Open – his 500th career win in professional tennis. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Bopanna emphasized the importance of consistency in reaching the pinnacle of the sport. He acknowledged that the World No. 1 ranking is a testament to his sustained dedication and effort, urging young athletes to focus on what lies ahead.
"I think nobody reaches the World no. 1 ranking without consistency, it doesn't happen overnight. I think today that is what is proven and that is why I was able to get to the ranking. I still have the opportunity to do so, today I am here sitting at the number 1 ranking because I had the opportunity to do so. Don't look what has gone by look what is ahead that is what I tell the young athletes," he said.
Rohan Bopanna's Career
Hailing from Karnataka, Rohan Bopanna embarked on his tennis journey at the age of 11 and turned professional at 19. While his professional debut was in 2000, Bopanna gained prominence in 2002 when he became part of India's Davis Cup team and made his Asian Games debut.
Bopanna's Grand Slam debut took place in 2006 at the Australian Open, and by 2007, he had established himself as a doubles specialist. In 2008, he clinched his first ATP Tour title alongside Eric Butorac.
Indo-Pak Express
The year 2010 saw Bopanna forming a successful partnership with Pakistani player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, often referred to as the "Indo-Pak Express." They reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event for the first time at Wimbledon and made it to the final of the US Open in the same year.
Before 2024, Bopanna's highest doubles ranking was World No. 3 in 2013. With a career spanning over two decades, he boasts an impressive tally of 24 doubles titles on the ATP Tour, including five at the Masters 1000 level. Notably, his victory at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters made him the oldest title winner at this prestigious level.
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