India’s Rohan Bopanna and Australia’s Matthew Ebden re-wrote history on Saturday as the duo claimed its maiden Australian Open men’s doubles title. The pair defeated the Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in straight sets 7-6 (7-0), 7-5, in Melbourne. Bopanna also celebrated becoming the oldest number one in men’s doubles history. It was their 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.
After their dominating win, wishes started pouring in from all over the world and the members of the Indian cricket fraternity were also quick to congratulate.
India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to X and praised Bopanna on achieving the big feat at at the age of 43.
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.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/WdDGzjfufW
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 27, 2024
Former India opener Virender Sehwag also shared good wishes to the tennis star.
What a story. What an inspiration @rohanbopanna .
Congratulations on becoming the #AusOpen Doubles Champion. pic.twitter.com/8NC1NVdboH
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 27, 2024
Apart from them, former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad and VVS Laxman also shared their respective wishes on social media.
At 43, The eldest to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era.
Absolute champion, Rohan Bopanna.
The stuff of dreams and one of India’s most inspirational sporting story to become a Doubles Champion at the #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/tbae5y6wgf
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 27, 2024
Not age but our spirit that defines us.
Many congratulations Rohan Bopanna & Matthew Ebden on winning the Australian Open Doubles title.
Truly inspirational @rohanbopanna #AusOpen2024 pic.twitter.com/bunPEHAWuP
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 27, 2024
Talking about the match, it was such hard-fought battle at the Rod Laver arena that the contest featured only one break of serve when Vavassori dropped his serve at love in game 11 of the second set. There were not many break points on offer either.
Bopanna also became only the third Indian to win a men’s doubles Grand Slam title. In a high-quality game of tennis, Bopanna and Ebden won the final that lasted one hour and 39 minutes.
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.
For Bopanna it is his second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open mixed doubles with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017.
At 43, Bopanna also became the oldest Grand Slam champion in men’s tennis. He bettered the record of Jean-Julien Rojer who, at age of 40, had lifted the French Open men’s doubles trophy in 2022 with Marcelo Arevola.
(With PTI Inputs)
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