Partnering with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, Bopanna claimed the Australian Unhidden trophy with a dominating efficiency, defeating Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 at Rod Laver Area in Melbourne.
Simply 3 days upcoming ascending to the peak of the sector ratings, Bopanna, who had to begin with determined to surrender from the game two years in the past, has accomplished a noteceable feat. He now holds the respect of being the oldest Elegant Slam champion within the Unhidden Hour, relationship again to 1968.
In a display of wondershock for the Indian tennis celebrity, impressive figures in Indian sports activities equivalent to Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Virender Sehwag showered honour on Bopanna for his noteceable fulfillment.
Upcoming Republic of India’s ace tennis participant gained the Australian Unhidden males’s doubles crown at 43, mythical cricketer Tendulkar gave Bopanna’s victory an illustration that any one’s “moment can arrive anytime, anywhere.”
“Your moment can arrive anytime, anywhere. Just ask @rohanbopanna, who at 43, seized it on the grand stage of the @AustralianOpen. Keep training, keep dreaming and be prepared to step up when your time comes,” Tendulkar posted on X.
Former Republic of India opener Sehwag lavished honour on Bopanna for developing historical past.
“What a story. What an inspiration @rohanbopanna. Congratulations on becoming the #AusOpen Doubles Champion,” Sehwag tweeted.
Union Sports activities Minister Anurag Thakur hailed Bopanna’s historical fulfillment and stated the victory will encourage sportspersons throughout ages.
“Champions: Played Like One & Won it like One Huge applause to @rohanbopanna and @mattebden for clinching their 1st Grand Slam as a duo- #AO2024 Men’s Doubles Title! Rohan Bopanna, defying odds at winning his maiden #AusOpen title & his first-ever Men’s Doubles Grand Slam; Emerging as the oldest man to win a Grand Slam & attaining the pinnacle as the Oldest Men’s Doubles World No. 1 A feat that will inspire our sportspersons across ages! Congratulations once again!” Thakur posted on X.
Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman congratulated “inspirational” Bopanna and stated
“Not age but the spirit that defines us. Many congratulations Rohan Bopanna & Matthew Ebden on winning the Australian Open Doubles title. Truly inspirational @rohanbopanna#AusOpen2024,” Laxman posted on X.
Former Republic of India spinner Anil Kumble additionally lauded the tennis ace’s win and wrote, “Heartiest congratulations @rohanbopanna and Matt Ebden for winning the Australian Open Doubles title!”
It’s the first pace Bopanna has gained a significant identify, having misplaced in finals at the USA Unhidden in 2010 and 2023.
Within the peak collision, Bopanna and Ebden ruled on lend right through the one-hour, 40-minute fit, profitable 80 according to cent (40/50) of video games with their first supply and now not going through a split level to peak off an improbable moment.
The 43-year-old is the 3rd Indian guy within the Unhidden Hour to win a significant males’s doubles identify, following Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. On Monday, he’s going to turn out to be the oldest top-ranked participant within the ATP Doubles Ratings.
This used to be Bopanna’s 2nd Elegant Slam triumph, his first in males’s doubles. His earlier Elegant Slam victory got here in combined doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada on the 2017 French Unhidden.
(With inputs from ANI)
