Jan 27, 2024
Rohan Bopanna creates history, becomes oldest Grand Slam champion
TIMESOFINDIA.COMMaiden men's doubles Slam title for Bopanna
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.
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That Grand Slam feeling!
The second seeds fell to the ground after overcoming their Italian challengers before bowing to the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena.
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Oldest to grab a Slam title
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.
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A thrilling finale
Bopanna and Ebden beat Bolelli/Andrea pair in a high-quality game of tennis in final that lasted one hour and 39 minutes.
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Only third Indian
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.
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Second Major title for Bopanna
For Bopanna it is his second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open mixed doubles with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017.
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First title with Ebden
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.
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Ebden lauds partner Bopanna
"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.
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Oldest No.1
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.
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Maiden Major title with Ebden
Ebden won the Australian Open mixed doubles in 2013 and the Wimbledon men's doubles in 2022 - when he lost in the men's doubles final in Australia the same year - while Bopanna won the 2017 French Open mixed doubles.
Image Source: AFP