Agencies
Melbourne
It took 61 attempts, with 19 different partners, but Rohan Bopanna finally won his first men’s doubles Grand Slam title to set yet more records, reports BBC.com
The 43-year-old Indian, already set to become the oldest men’s doubles number one, became the oldest major men’s doubles winner at the Australian Open.
He and Matthew Ebden beat Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (7-0) 7-5 in Saturday’s final.
"[It’s] without a doubt the best moment in my career,” Bopanna said.
"I’m playing my best tennis of my life.”
Bopanna now tops the Open era list for the most attempts made before winning a men’s doubles Grand Slam title, surpassing American Rajeev Ram’s 58.
And at 43 years and 329 days, he has become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam doubles title.
Since teaming up with Australian Ebden at the start of last year, he has set a number of records, including becoming the oldest Masters champion, the oldest finalist at a Grand Slam, and the oldest player to win a match at the ATP Finals.
Bopanna, who will top the world rankings for the first time on Monday, threw his racquet in the air and fell flat on his back before chest-bumping with Ebden after they sealed the win in Melbourne.
"He’s young at heart, he’s a champion, he’s a warrior,” Ebden said of his partner.
The victory came in Bopanna’s 17th attempt in the Australian Open men’s doubles event, which equals the record held by his compatriot Leander Paes.
During the trophy presentation Bopanna revealed he had considered quitting the sport a couple of years ago.
"I sent a video message saying I was going to call it a day because I was not winning matches at all,” said Bopanna, who will share prize money of 730,000 Australian dollars (£377,700) with Ebden.
"I went five months without winning a match and I thought that was going to be the end of my journey.
"I think that perseverance inside me just kept me going. I really changed so many things and I found a wonderful partner, so thank you.”