No cartilage, no problem as Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna tops doubles rankings
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Matthew Ebden of Australia and Rohan Bopanna of India will become the world No. 2 and No. 1 respectively in the doubles ranking.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MELBOURNE – Rohan Bopanna’s worn-out knees have not stopped him from climbing tennis’ world doubles rankings and the 43-year-old Indian became the oldest player to reach No. 1 after making the Australian Open semi-finals with Matthew Ebden on Jan 24.
Bopanna and his Australian partner beat Argentinian pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) to ensure that the evergreen Indian would top the rankings once they are updated on Jan 29 following the conclusion of 2024’s first Grand Slam.
Ebden will become world No. 2, having played three more tournaments than Bopanna during the ranking period.
It marked the latest milestone for the Indian, who became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he won the Indian Wells doubles crown with Ebden last season and then followed it up by becoming the oldest to win a match at the ATP Finals.
Bopanna, who hails from the south Indian state of Karnataka and often jokes that the coffee from his plantation in Coorg was behind his success, said focusing on his recovery and optimising training had contributed to his longevity in the game.
For context, even a top professional like Roger Federer called it a day at 41, while Jimmy Connors retired at 43 – the same age as Bopanna – and John McEnroe at 46.
“The real focus was on that (recovery), not to really go out there and run on the treadmill or lift weights,” said Bopanna, on his bid to have a long career.
“That wasn’t something I wanted to do when I hired my physio from Belgium last year.
“I told her specifically what I needed, because I have no cartilage in my knees. It’s completely worn out.
“I said, no matter what happens, even if the days we’re practising and I’m not 100 per cent fit, that’s fine. I want to feel 100 per cent fit during these matches. That’s the commitment I’d made when I decided to play with Matt.”
Bopanna and Ebden were without partners at the end of 2022 but have gelled well since joining forces, winning titles in Doha and Indian Wells and reaching the finals at Rotterdam, Madrid, the US Open, Shanghai and Paris.
They also reached the title clash in Adelaide earlier in 2024, falling to Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram – the latter holding the previous record for the oldest doubles No. 1 at 38 when he got there two years ago.
Bopanna also said his mental strength had played a big role in ensuring his partnership with Ebden succeeded.
“I think that’s something I’ve always had when I take up a challenge,” he said.
“I try to persevere in it and bring in that willpower. I think that’s what has helped us as a team a lot.”
The duo next face Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac. REUTERS
