In the Australian Open final, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden defeated Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, both of Italy, 7-6(0), 7-5, to win Rohan Bopanna’s first Grand Slam championship in men’s doubles. After winning the title, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna made history by becoming the oldest grand slam winner. He did this by teaming up with his Australian partner Matthew Ebden. After winning the French Open in mixed doubles with his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017, Rohan Bopanna has now won two grand slam titles.
Key Moments
Rohan Bopanna: Journey to the Final
Rohan Bopanna, paired with Australian Matthew Ebden, secured their place in the Australian Open doubles final by overcoming the Chinese-Czech duo of Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac in a thrilling encounter. The match concluded with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory that lasted just over two hours.
Making History in the Championship Match
In a historic showdown, Bopanna and Ebden emerged victorious against the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, claiming the Australian Open doubles championship. The Indian-Australian duo dominated the match, sealing the title with a commanding 7-6(0), 7-5 triumph in a contest that lasted 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Breaking the Grand Slam Drought
Before this landmark victory, Rohan Bopanna had reached the men’s doubles final twice at the US Open (2013 and 2023) but had never clinched the title. His Grand Slam success came earlier in mixed doubles at the 2017 French Open. The Australian Open win adds a men’s doubles Grand Slam title to his illustrious career.
Oldest Grand Slam Champion in Men’s Tennis
At 43 years old, Rohan Bopanna etched his name in tennis history as the oldest Grand Slam champion in men’s tennis. Surpassing Jean-Julien Rojer’s record, who won the French Open men’s doubles at the age of 40 in 2022, Bopanna showcased that age is no barrier to success on the tennis court.
Intense Battle at Rod Laver Arena
The championship match at the Rod Laver Arena was a hard-fought battle, featuring minimal breaks of serve. The lone break came when Andrea Vavassori dropped his serve at love in game 11 of the second set. The tightly contested match showcased Bopanna and Ebden’s resilience and skill.
Key Moments in the Championship Clash
Throughout the match, there were pivotal moments, including breakpoints for the second seeds early on, saved by the Italians. The Italians faced pressure, but Simone Bolelli’s powerful cross-court forehand and Vavassori’s strong serves kept them in contention. The critical tie-breaker saw Bolelli’s serve broken twice as Bopanna and Ebden raced to a 5-0 lead without dropping a point on their serve, ultimately securing the championship.
In summary, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden’s triumph at the Australian Open doubles final not only marked a historic achievement for the duo but also solidified Bopanna’s status as the oldest Grand Slam champion in men’s tennis.