Bopanna becomes oldest man to win major title, triumphs with Ebden at AO

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Rohan Bopanna became the oldest man in the Open Era to win a major men’s doubles title on Saturday when he teamed with Australian Matthew Ebden to win the Australian Open.

The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden overcame Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 to clinch the crown on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

"Without a doubt the best moment in my career," Bopanna said. "I mean, there are so many thoughts which are running in the head. It's ready to explode, having so many things going on.

"With the year we had last year, to continue and start off like this and win a Grand Slam, no better player to do it with."

Bopanna and Ebden were dominant on serve throughout the one-hour, 40-minute clash, winning 80 per cent (40/50) of points behind their first delivery and not facing a break point to cap a dream week.

"What an amazing tournament," Ebden said. "Thanks to my amazing partner. He is 43 years old, this is his first men's Grand Slam doubles title! Age is not a number for this guy. He is young at heart. He is a champion and a warrior. He has fought hard alongside me the past year and I am forever grateful to him."

Bopanna and Ebden produced their best tennis at the crucial stages. They found great depth on return in the first-set tie-break to storm ahead before they gained the crucial break of the second set in the 11th game. The second seeds Bopanna and Ebden won all seven tie-breaks they played at the hard-court major.

The Indian-Australian team bumped chests following match point, a celebration associated with Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, before they sunk to the ground. Bopanna and Ebden then returned to their feet to soak in the roars from the crowd.

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It is the first time Bopanna has won a major title, having lost in finals at the US Open in 2010 and 2023. The 43-year-old is the third Indian man in the Open Era to win a major men’s doubles title, joining Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. He will also become the oldest No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings on Monday.

Ebden, 36, has now won two major men’s doubles titles, having won Wimbledon in 2022 with Max Purcell. He is the 28th Australian man to win the Australian Open men’s doubles crown.

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Bolelli and Vavassori were chasing their first trophy as a team. Last year they reached finals in Halle and Umag.

🏆 #AusOpen CHAMPS 🏆@rohanbopanna ➕ @mattebden clinch their first Grand Slam title together with a 7-6(0) 7-5 win over Bolelli/Vavassori!@AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/TezO4c8JC8

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 27, 2024