Still hasn't sunk in: Rohan Bopanna reacts to becoming Oldest World No. 1 in Men's Doubles Tennis

India's tennis veteran, Rohan Bopanna, has etched his name in history by becoming the oldest player to claim the World No 1 title in men's doubles. This extraordinary accomplishment unfolded as Bopanna and his partner, Matthew Ebden, secured a place in the semi-finals at the Australian Open 2024 men's doubles category.

Rohan Bopanna's Journey to World No 1

Entering the tournament with a career-high ranking of world No 3, Bopanna displayed remarkable prowess, eventually triumphing over Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in the quarterfinals. This victory not only propelled him to the top spot but also marked him as the oldest first-time world No 1 in the sport's history.

Bopanna's Reaction to the Achievement

After the quarter-final match, an elated Bopanna expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much; it's been an incredible 20 years playing this tournament week in, week out.” Despite the monumental achievement, Bopanna confessed that it hasn't fully sunk in yet. He credited the entire team, especially his family, coach, physio, and the behind-the-scenes contributors, for their pivotal roles in his success. Special mention was made of his partner, Matt Ebden, highlighting the collaborative effort.

Bopanna took a moment to extend his thanks to the fans for their unwavering support over the last two decades, emphasizing the significance of securing a spot in the Australian Open men's doubles semi-finals after 17 attempts. He views this achievement as his way of giving back to the sport and the country.

The Impact on Indian Tennis

In his reflections, Bopanna recognized the broader impact of his accomplishment on Indian tennis. “India needed this, Indian tennis needed this,” he remarked. The consistent performance over the last 13 months and achieving the top ranking is, for Bopanna, a representation of India on the global tennis stage. He expressed his happiness in giving back to a country that has shown immense love and support throughout his journey.

Bopanna and Ebden's Path to the Finals

Looking ahead, Bopanna and Ebden are set to face China's Zhizhen Zhang and Czech Republic's Tomas Machac in the semi-finals. The outcome of this match on Thursday could potentially confirm their place in the Australian Open men's doubles final, adding another layer of excitement to their remarkable journey.