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.
1/10:Rohan Bopanna creates history, becomes oldest Grand Slam champion
AFP
2/10:Maiden men's doubles Slam title for Bopanna
<p>India's Rohan Bopanna and Australian Matthew Ebden dug deep to win the Australian Open men's doubles title on Saturday with a 7-6(0), 7-5 victory over Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:That Grand Slam feeling!
<p>The second seeds fell to the ground after overcoming their Italian challengers before bowing to the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena.<br /></p>AP
4/10:Oldest to grab a Slam title
<p>Bopanna becomes the oldest male player at 43 to win a Grand Slam title, and the Indian finally tasted success in Australia in his 17th consecutive Open, having lost the mixed doubles final last year and in 2018.<br /></p>AP
5/10:A thrilling finale
<p>Bopanna and Ebden beat Bolelli/Andrea pair in a high-quality game of tennis in final that lasted one hour and 39 minutes.<br /></p>AFP
6/10:Only third Indian
<p>Bopanna became only the third Indian to win a men's doubles Grand Slam title. Only the iconic Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won Major titles for India in men's tennis while trailblazer Sania Mirza did it in women's tennis.<br /></p>Reuters
7/10:Second Major title for Bopanna
<p>For Bopanna it is his second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open mixed doubles with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017.<br /></p>Reuters
8/10:First title with Ebden
<p>It was Bopanna/Ebden maiden title as a team and Bopanna's first in men's doubles after 60 previous Grand Slams -- a record for most attempts before winning.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:Ebden lauds partner Bopanna
<p>"Age truly really is not even a number for this guy. He's young at heart, he's a champion, he's a warrior. He's fought hard by my side this whole past year," Ebden said on Bopanna.<br /></p>AP
10/10:Oldest No.1
<p>Bopanna will be crowned the new number one on Monday when the ATP rankings will be updated. At 43, he will be the oldest player to be perched on top of the ranking pile.<br /></p>ReutersEbden 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)
