Cartilage in his knees worn out yet Rohan Bopanna becomes oldest man in Open Era to win a Grand Slam title

Doubles delight 🏆🏆@rohanbopanna 🇮🇳 and @mattebden 🇦🇺 defeat Italian duo Bolelli/Vavassori 🇮🇹 7-6(0) 7-5. @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/WaR2KXF9kp

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2024

At 43, he is now the oldest men’s player to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era. Earlier this week, he had also ensured that he will become the oldest World No.1 in tennis history. Ebden will be behind him — the same number of points but having played more tournaments.

Bopanna summed up his emotions while speaking on court after winning the title. “A couple of years ago, I remember sending (my wife) a video message saying I am going to call it a day. I went five months without winning a match,” he said. “But that perseverance inside me kept me going. I’m glad I could do that, and change so many things and find a wonderful partner.”

Ebden and Bopanna formed an unlikely partnership at the back end of 2022, with both eyeing change at the end of a tough year and having very few other options within the locker room. But they became instantly successful.

That Grand Slam feeling 🏆#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Azz5KoUdML

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2024

Last year, they reached four Masters 1000 finals, winning the title at Indian Wells and reaching the US Open final. The two surged up the rankings and qualified for the year-end ATP finals. Bopanna also reached last year’s Australian Open mixed doubles final alongside Sania Mirza in her final Major.

Despite the remarkable consistency shown by Bopanna and Ebden, the duo’s poor record in finals last year and their inability to get over the line when put under pressure deep into big tournaments had become a challenge to overcome.

They were in a similar situation on Saturday, coming into the match as heavy favourites against unseeded opponents. The first half of the encounter was tense. While the Indo-Australian pair were never behind, they had failed to convert two break point chances early, and were forced to save one at the back end of the set before taking it into a tiebreaker.

Look what it means to @rohanbopanna and @mattebden 😍

At 43, Bopanna has his FIRST Men’s Doubles Grand Slam title – and becomes the oldest to do so in the Open Era 👏👏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qs0JlrkMO7

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2024

It was in the seven point shootout that the pair appeared to be totally locked in, failing to make a single error and winning it 7-0, piling all the pressure on their Italian counterparts.

Bopanna boasts of a big serve and solid forehand, but in the latter stages of his career, it has been his quick reflexes and composure at the net that have provided the X factor. Coupled with Ebden’s baseline endurance and solid defensive play, the duo have formed a formidable partnership. And it was that exact pattern of play, accentuating both strengths, that eventually led the Italian pair to blink under pressure and lose a service game to love.

As Ebden served out the match, they would not blink under pressure. After many near losses, he had lost four of the five Major finals — men’s and mixed— he had played before, Bopanna would have his moment. World No.1 and Grand Slam champion.

“Of course, by now, I’m sure a lot of you already know my age, you know how old I am,” he said on court after the final. “But I’ve changed it now. I like to say I’m at level 43, not age 43.”