Rohan Bopanna becomes oldest world number 1, scripts tennis history

It is the first time that Rohan Bopanna has reached the top spot.

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna scripted history after becoming the oldest player to clinch the world’s number title. This comes after the 43-year-old along with Matthew Ebden reached the Australian open doubles semi-finals.

Bopanna and Ebden beat Argentine pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andrew Molteni 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). It is the first time that Bopanna has reached the top spot.

"People all over the world, you know, being 40 and above, I think it's just going to inspire them in a different way," he said. Bopanna and Ebden will face Tomas Machac and Zhang Zhizhen in the last four in Melbourne.

Bopanna also became the oldest ATP Masters 1,000 champion when he and Ebden won the Indian Wells doubles title in March last year. He started playing in 2003 and has won a Grand Slam mixed doubles title alongside Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski at the 2017 French Open.

Praising his physiotherapist and Iyengar yoga, the tennis star said, “I told her [physio] specifically what I needed, because I have no cartilage in my knees. It's completely worn out.”

"Yoga in a way not only strengthened my legs, my body, but also, I think made me calmer on the tennis court.

"It kind of really helped me focus a lot better. I don't feel rushed on the tennis court."

The oldest world number one title was earlier held by Rajeev Ram from USA. He achieved the feat in October 2022 at the age of 38 for the first time in his career.

Several personalities and dignitaries congratulated Bopanna for achieving the historic feat.

"So proud Ro, no one deserves it more," Sania Mirza wrote on X.

Sachin Tendulkar wrote, "Age is just a number but ‘Number 1’ is not just another number.

Age is just a number but ‘Number 1’ is not just another number.Congratulations Rohan! Being the oldest World Number 1 in Men’s Doubles is a stellar feat. #AusOpen #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/5rEBxdl1km— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 24, 2024

Congratulations Rohan! Being the oldest World Number 1 in Men’s Doubles is a stellar feat."

@rohanbopanna— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) January 24, 2024

See some other reactions here:

India's Tennis Star @rohanbopanna becomes the oldest player to hold the World No. 1 in Men's Doubles. Not only is this a personal accomplishment, but it also serves as a source of motivation for our entire nation. Congratulations Rohan on this remarkable feat ! pic.twitter.com/P4OnhF1tRv— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 24, 2024

World No.1 looks good on you, Bopsy. Thanks for always inspiring us a href="https://twitter.com/rohanbopanna?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rohanbopanna https://t.co/6KLcvR0kMz— Sumit Nagal (@nagalsumit) January 24, 2024

Congratulations Rohan Bopanna! Reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2024 and becoming the oldest player to achieve the No. 1 spot at the age of 43 is a remarkable feat. Your determination and skill continue to inspire.@rohanbopanna #AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/azi9cXfWim— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) January 24, 2024

@rohanbopanna who's pic.twitter.com/IHwj7p9KL1— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) January 24, 2024

Meanwhile, Bopanna is the fourth Indian player, after Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, to rank world number one in doubles. He was also world number three in 2013.