Rohan Bopanna Retires at 45 After Historic Tennis Career

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement on Saturday at the age of 45, concluding a remarkable professional journey that lasted over two decades. Throughout his career, Bopanna achieved significant milestones, including two Grand Slam titles and the distinction of being the oldest men’s doubles world number one.

Bopanna’s career reached a pinnacle in 2023 when he partnered with Matthew Ebden to win the Australian Open doubles title. This victory not only made him the oldest men’s Grand Slam champion in the Open Era, which began in 1968, but also propelled him to the top of the ATP rankings. His impressive trophy collection also includes the mixed doubles title at the French Open, which he secured alongside Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017.

In a heartfelt social media statement, Bopanna expressed his emotions about retiring from the sport that has defined his life. “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,” he wrote.

Bopanna’s achievements continued well into 2024 when he became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion at the Miami Open, winning the men’s doubles title alongside Ebden at the age of 44. This victory further solidified his legacy in tennis, as he surpassed his own record from the previous year at Indian Wells.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Bopanna claimed a total of 26 men’s doubles titles and represented India in various prestigious events, including the Davis Cup, the Olympics, and the Asian Games. Notably, he captured the men’s doubles gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and added to his accolades with a mixed doubles title in Hangzhou four years later.

Reflecting on his national pride, Bopanna remarked, “Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life. Each time I walked onto the court with the tricolour beside me, I felt its pride and its value.” He emphasized that every serve and point played was for his country and its flag.

Bopanna’s final professional match took place at the ongoing Paris Masters, where he teamed up with Alexander Bublik. The duo faced a tough challenge in the last 32, ultimately losing 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 to John Peers and James Tracy. This match marked the end of an era for a player who not only made history but also inspired countless aspiring tennis players across the globe.