MELBOURNE, Australia – At 43, Rohan Bopanna became the oldest man in the modern era to win a Grand Slam doubles title on Saturday, combining with Matt Ebden for a 7-6 victory (0) and 7-5 in front of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, at the Australian Open.
This is his first major men’s doubles title – he won a mixed doubles title at Roland Garros in 2017 – and he won it on his 61st attempt, with his 19th partner.
He was taking part in the tournament for the 17th time, and Ebden was his 12th partner at Melbourne Park.
Bopanna and Ebden, whose combined age is 79, will top the rankings next week; they will be the oldest No. 1 duo in tennis history.
At 43 years and 329 days, Bopanna is by three years the oldest to win a major men’s doubles tournament in the modern era.
On Monday, at 43 years and 331 days, he will be the oldest to be ranked No. 1 in men’s doubles.
Mike Bryan was 41 years and 76 days old when his time at the top of the rankings ended in July 2019.
Bopanna and Ebden lost to Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the final in New York last September.
They were the second seeds in Australia this year.
It was a third major doubles title for Ebden.
He won the mixed title in Melbourne 11 years ago and the men’s doubles at Wimbledon two years ago.
2024-01-27 14:21:00
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