Rohan Bopanna Retires at 45, Leaves Legacy as Oldest Doubles World No.1

Post by : Raina Nasser

Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement on Saturday at the age of 45, concluding a remarkable professional career that spanned more than two decades. Renowned for his powerful serve and exceptional doubles skills, Bopanna leaves behind a legacy marked by two Grand Slam titles and the distinction of being the oldest men’s doubles world number one in the professional era.

Bopanna’s journey to the top was highlighted by his victory at the Australian Open men’s doubles title in 2024, alongside Australia’s Matthew Ebden. This win not only secured a prestigious Grand Slam trophy but also crowned him the oldest men’s Grand Slam champion since the Open Era began in 1968. His rise to the top of the ATP doubles rankings that followed was a testament to his longevity and dedication to the sport.

In addition to the Australian Open triumph, Bopanna also clinched the French Open mixed doubles title in 2017 with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski, adding to his impressive collection of major trophies.

“How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it's time ... I'm officially hanging up my racket,” Bopanna shared in an emotional social media post, reflecting on his career and the sport that shaped his life.

Bopanna’s achievements extend beyond Grand Slams. In 2024, he became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he won the Miami Open men’s doubles title with Ebden, breaking his own record set the previous year at Indian Wells. Over his career, he amassed 26 men’s doubles titles and proudly represented India in the Davis Cup, Olympics, and Asian Games.

Hailing from Coorg, Karnataka, a region known for its coffee plantations, Bopanna brought immense pride to Indian tennis. He won the men’s doubles gold at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and the mixed doubles gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

“Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life. Every time I walked onto the court with the tricolour beside me, I felt its pride and its value,” Bopanna said, expressing his deep patriotism and gratitude.

His final professional match took place at the ongoing Paris Masters, where he partnered with Alexander Bublik. Despite a hard-fought 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 loss to John Peers and James Tracy in the round of 32, Bopanna’s career ended with the same fighting spirit that defined his years on the tour.

Rohan Bopanna’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian tennis and the doubles circuit. His legacy as a trailblazer, mentor, and champion will inspire future generations to serve up their best on courts worldwide.