In a historic achievement for both Indian and Australian tennis, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden have secured the world number one spot in men’s doubles, according to the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings.
The pair’s remarkable performance at the Australian Open 2024 has catapulted them to the top, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
At 43, Rohan Bopanna becomes the oldest player to attain the number one ranking in men’s doubles, a testament to his enduring skill and perseverance in the sport.
He told ausopen.com that achieving the feat at the Australian Open, the Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific, was especially meaningful.
In his 17th Australian Open appearance, the 43-year-old has advanced to the men’s doubles semifinals at Melbourne Park for the first time.
The enduring Indian had never previously progressed beyond the third round in a men’s doubles draw at the tournament.
“Initially I struggled with the conditions, because it can be extremely windy, which doesn’t suit my game,” Bopanna explained of his Australian Open record.
“Now that I’m more mature, I’ve figured I need to stay strong no matter what the conditions are.”
The Indian veteran, partnering with Matthew Ebden, advanced to the semi-finals of the Australian Open by defeating Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in straight sets. This victory not only extended their impressive run in Melbourne but also ensured Bopanna’s historic rise in the rankings.
The Indian-Australian duo’s journey to the top has been marked by consistent performance and a remarkable understanding on the court. Their synergy was evident as they held their service games with confidence and navigated through a tie-breaker in the second set with strategic precision.
Bopanna, who entered the Australian Open at a career-high of World No. 3, fuelled by a title in Indian Wells and a runner-up finish at the US Open, has been a stalwart in men’s doubles for over two decades. His success at Melbourne Park, where he had never been beyond the third round in 16 prior appearances, is a remarkable addition to his already illustrious career.
Matthew Ebden ranked fourth, ascends to the world number two spot, further solidifying his standing as a formidable force in men’s doubles tennis. Ebden, who hails from Australia, has been a key player on the international circuit, and his partnership with Bopanna has proven to be a winning combination.
This achievement is not only a personal triumph for Bopanna and Ebden but also a significant moment for Indian and Australian tennis. Bopanna joins the elite group of Indian tennis players who have reached world number one in doubles, a list that includes Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza.
As the duo prepares for their upcoming semi-final clash against the team of Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac, they carry the hopes and aspirations of their nations. Their ascendancy to the top of the world rankings is a source of inspiration, demonstrating that hard work, determination, and teamwork can lead to extraordinary achievements in the world of tennis.
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