Record-breaker Rohan Bopanna wants more as he aspires to become Wimbledon Doubles champion after clinching the Australian Open Men’s Doubles with Matthew Ebden.
At 43 years old, Bopanna became the oldest major men’s doubles winner and is now the oldest tennis world #1.
A legendary player from India, Bopanna has quite a bit of history in his 21 years of playing pro, and it was a moment come true for him when he and Ebden won the doubles at the Australian Open.
Bopanna tore down at the presentation ceremony as he credited his wife as his success pillar for his achievements.
My wife said beautifully one day, ‘When you change limitations to opportunities, everything changes.’ We are always told at 25, this has to happen; by 30, this has to happen; at 40, this will happen. It’s a thing told to us constantly, whether it is sport or life, whether it is marriage, having kids, whatever it may be, he said.
“But when you change that into opportunities, then the limitations go away,” he added.
The Indian legend also mentioned how he wanted to quit after going five months without a win but kept fighting back.
To win the finals, the duo defeated Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5.
Coincidentally, this is only Bopanna’s second Grand Slam success. He previously won the Mixed Doubles at the French Open with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski.
With the win at the Australian Open, Bopanna is now aspiring to have a go at the Wimbledon this year. All the hype around the Australian Open sets a great predicament for the year to come, as trusted reseller platforms such as Seatsnet.com are already flooding in with ticket requests.
Bopanna Wants Wimbledon Glory
Having conquered the Australian Open at the age of 43, the duo Bopanna and Ebden want to try their luck at Wimbledon, which might be Bopanna’s last attempt this year.
Last time around, the duo showed immense promise but lost at the final hurdle. But this time, the momentum is with the duo.
Speaking to BBC World Service Sport, Bopanna recalls his younger days when Wimbledon was the only televised Grand Slam at the time, and that’s when the close connections started to grow.
“I have a close connection (with the tournament). In 2023, we ended up losing to the eventual champions.”
Last year’s semifinal was against Neal Skupsi and Wesley Koolhof at the Wimbledon.
The Bopanna-Ebden combo lost 7-5, 6-4.
Looking back, it took 61 attempts with 19 different partners for Bopanna to win his first doubles Grand Slam finally. He is living proof that nobody should give up on their dreams, even after indefinite failed attempts.
The Bopanna-Ebden combination came in 2023, and it became the combination that worked with them, setting several records, including the Oldest Masters champion, the oldest finalist at a Grand Slam and the oldest player to win a match at the ATP Finals.
“Today, I feel when I’m at the top, there’s no real reason to stop, and I really feel I’m enjoying travelling still,” he added.
Seatsnet.com anticipates higher demand for the Wimbledon Doubles draw this year in contrast to every other previous season.
I Played Cricket With Federer at the Wimbledon
Ever since turning pro in 2003, the tale of Rohan Bopanna continues to amaze. In a recent conversation, the Champion recollected the time he shared a locker room with other greats such as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Bopanna brings back fond memories of their bond and the shared love that Federer and Bopanna had for cricket.
He recollects that during the downtime at Wimbledon, they used to have impromptu cricket matches in the locker room to spend time.
Reflecting on the impact that Federer has provided in his career, Bopanna acknowledged his influence in his gameplay and helped him build camaraderie with the players. Federer’s approachability and genuine interactions with fellow athletes transcended his status as a tennis legend, leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to cross paths with him.
Wimbledon Grass Court Rankings
With less than six months, we have the power rankings out for the all-important Wimbledon. These rankings, formulated by Tennis365, highlight the most impactful players ahead of Wimbledon.
Several options are factored in terms of win percentage, consistency, and historical figures.
1 – Novak Djokovic
Last year, the great Djokovic might have been defeated, but it doesn’t take anything away from what the Serbians have achieved. His record is unparalleled on the slick surface, and the 38-year-old is undoubtedly the best, with 34 wins in the 35 games he has played at the All-England club.
His impeccable movement and his stride make him the best grasscourt player in the world.
2 – Carlos Alcaraz
The young Spaniard had one of the best seasons last year. At one time, the world’s #1 Alcaraz’s triumph against Djokovic was the pinnacle of his career.
While he has a long way to go in his career, the defending Wimbledon champion sits above in terms of Power Rankings.
Initially, Alcaraz struggled on grass, with the Spaniard finding it challenging to move swiftly. But the win at the Wimbledon last year solidified his status.
Everyone who had tickets to the center court for the final through official sources or Seatsnet.com saw the youngster’s versatility and cleared any doubts.
He reigned supreme against a legend who came into the final, 34 games undefeated.
3 – Jannik Sinner
The newly crowned Australian Open champion has a track record to show that he is a formidable opponent to beat on grass.
The recent win against Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinal shocked the world as the 22-year-old showed he has the caliber to be world #1 someday.
With the current momentum, he will be the surprise package in 2024.
4 – Alexander Zverev
Known for his powerful serve, Zverev wants to put his previous struggles on grass to bed and make it count at this year’s Wimbledon.
Zverev has struggled on grass on every circuit besides the All-England Club.
With Wimbledon savoring a fast-paced game, he is also a strong contender for the finals.
5 – Rafael Nadal
It’s tough to look away from Rafael Nadal, who’s a two-time champion despite his persistence that the grass surface is not his preferred option. But, his record and talent make him formidable on the grass court circuit.
After nearly a year’s hiatus, Nadal has announced that he will be back this year at the Wimbledon.
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