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Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement after the defeat in the first round of men’s doubles of Paris Olympics on Sunday. 44 year old Bopanna was playing for India for 22 years. He made his debut for the country in 2002.
In the match played on Sunday, they were defeated by the French pair of Gael Monfils and Edouard Roger Vasselin 5-7, 6-2. With this the Indian pair was out of the tournament.
He was a finalist in 6 Grand Slam men’s doubles matches. Won the French Open in mixed doubles in 2017 and the Australian Open in men’s doubles in 2024.
Before the Paris Olympics, Bopanna last represented India in the Asian Games 2023, in which she won the gold medal in mixed doubles with Rutuja Bhosale.
This photo of Rohan Bopanna (right) and Rutuja Bhosale is from the Asian Games 2023, when the pair won the gold medal.
This was my last event
Bopanna announced his retirement after the defeat in the first round. He told PTI, “This will definitely be my last event for the country. I completely understand where I am and now, as long as this goes on, I will continue to enjoy the tennis circuit. It’s already a good sign of where I am.” It’s a big bonus. I never thought that I would be representing India for two decades, and to get a chance to represent India even after 22 years has made me extremely proud.”
Bopanna made Olympic debut in London 2012
This was Bopanna’s third Olympics. Bopanna made his Olympic debut at London 2012, where he reached the second round in men’s doubles partnering Mahesh Bhupathi. At Rio 2016, Bopanna and Sania Mirza finished fourth after losing the bronze medal match in mixed doubles. Bopanna could not make it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Bopanna is the oldest player to win Grand Slam
Earlier this year, Bopanna became the oldest person to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era of tennis after winning the Australian Open with his partner Matthew Ebden at the age of 43 years and nine months.
The Australian Open 2024 win was Bopanna’s second Grand Slam title. He won mixed doubles at the French Open in 2017. Bopanna and Ebden had also made it to the semi-finals of the French Open last month.
Bopanna (left) with his partner Matthew Ebden after winning the Australian Open 2024 Men’s Doubles title.
Oldest world number-1
Bopanna became the world number-1 men’s doubles player in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings on January 29 this year. At that time Bopanna was 43 years old. At the age of 43, he is the oldest player to become the world number-1 men’s doubles player. Currently his ATP ranking is 4.
