Rohan Bopanna creates history as he partners Matthew Ebden to clinch the doubles title at Indian Wells

Rohan Bopanna scripts history at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters as he partners Matthew Ebden to win the coveted 'Fifth Grand Slam' of tennis.


Rohan Bopanna creates history as he partners Matthew Ebden to clinch the doubles title at Indian Wells

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden with the 2023 Indian Wells Masters trophy

Rohan Bopanna defines what turning the clock back means. Having turned 43 earlier this month, the Indian ace paired with Australian Matthew Ebden to outgun Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10/8 (super tie-breaker) and clinch the doubles title at Indian Wells, considered the fifth ‘Grand Slam’ on the tennis tour.

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This has been a brilliant year for Rohan Bopanna, who began his journey at the ATP Tour event in Pune in January. Even though the lone ATP event in India is not big, Bopanna decided to compete in it. That was his way of giving back to Indian tennis and mentoring budding Indian doubles stars. Indian Wells is a huge event in the United States of America sponsored by BNP Paribas. For those not aware, this is the second title for the Indo-Aussie pair but the first Masters 1000 title.

Doubles is a dying art, and the ATP has reduced it to a sideshow. Yet, for exponents like Rohan Bopanna doubles tennis is passion as well as bread and butter. After the first two sets were shared, Bopanna and his 35-year-old partner had to come out firing in the super tie-break. “I have been coming here (Indian Wells) over the years and seeing the other guys win this title. I am really happy that my partner (Matthew Ebden) and I could grab the title here,” said Bopanna.

The tall and strapping Coorgi admitted this week has been a hard and hectic one. Yet, to come out with the big stuff has been inspiring. Before this, the lone Indian to have won the title at Indian Wells was Leander Paes, in 2007. At that time, Leander’s partner was Martin Damm from the Czech Republic.

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Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden
Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden

Prior to the start of the 2023 season, Bopanna had talked to First Sportz about how he is feeling fine and focused on the new season. Obviously, teaming up with a new partner from Australia, age 35, was a challenge. Doubles are about chemistry and playing sharp points. In no time, the player can get passed at the net or one double fault fan can mean disaster. Throughout this tournament in Indian Wells, Bopanna, and Ebden kept pushing hard.

“I am enjoying my tennis. Fitness is an important factor for me and to keep pushing hard means having the right motivation,” Bopanna told First Sportz. At the Australian Open, Bopanna had a great run in mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. The duo turned on the heat in Melbourne but were unlucky to lose the final to the strong Brazilian pair of Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos. It was an emotional final for both Bopanna and Sania as it was her last Grand Slam. She has now retired.

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Bopanna has shown that age is just a number. In the domestic circuit, he broke onto the scene in 1997 as a big server and was called Bofors Bopanna. His exploits in singles are well known in Davis Cup, where he would serve really big. Over a period of time, he had to shift to doubles. Nevertheless, the transformation was easy for him. There have been top doubles exponents from India before like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Yet, at 43, to win Indian Wells is a big achievement. Before this, the oldest to win a big title was Canadian Daniel Nestor in 2015 at the Cincinnati Masters. When the All India Tennis Association played dirty tricks with Rohan Bopanna and did not get him an entry into the doubles at the Tokyo Olympics, the tall Coorgi was distraught. That he continued to keep fighting and take risks in his stride during the Covid pandemic was creditable.

“I have to ensure I do not pass on the virus to my wife or daughter,” he said at that time. Today, Bopanna is a celebrity and also a mentor. He has made a tie-up in Pune for providing doubles specialists from India coaching as well as physios to help out. “It is my way of giving back to the boys,” Rohan Bopanna in January. At a time when top young singles players are struggling with fitness, for Bopanna to continue with his A game is impressive.

Bopanna has not yet talked of retirement. This year will be big, as he and Ebden will be in a good frame of mind to compete at the remaining three Grand Slams — French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. “I guess, when you start winning big titles, it does a lot of good,” added Rohan Bopanna.

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