History for Bopanna and India, as the 43-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Masters 1000 Champ

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 19, 2023

Rohan Bopanna made historical past for himself and for his nation on Saturday evening at Indian Wells, when he and Matt Ebden defeated World No.1s Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski for the BNP Paribas Open title.

Bopanna, 43, turns into the oldest man to win a Masters 1000 title.

“I think it’s always special when you get any record as such, but the biggest I think feeling for me is that I was able to pursue my tennis, keep it going, and still believe that I could win big tournaments,” stated the hard-serving Bangalore native, who claimed his fifth Masters 1000 title and his first since 2017.

Bopanna and Ebden are partnering for the primary time this 12 months, and have already gained two titles this season.

Bopanna says the important thing to his longevity is all the time on the lookout for methods to get higher.

“I think that is where my strengths are,” he stated. “You know, constantly finding ways to figure how I can improve. You know, and then look at the partnership on what, you know, can get better.”

The oldest Masters 1000 Champion EVER

43-year-old @rohanbopanna makes historical past at #TennisParadise! pic.twitter.com/7KALkndyjq

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 19, 2023

The 43-year-old can also be comfortable to make historical past for historical past. He is the primary Indian man to assert the title on the BNP Paribas Open since legend Leander Paes did it in 2007.

“It’s really special,” he stated. “The only person to be representing India, and I really feel proud of that. Every time I know the tournament here, wherever an athlete is from, there is a flag out there. So it’s nice to see the Indian flag always.

“I really feel this week I got a lot of messages on, how many people are still inspired with the fact that I have been able to do this and still looking to say, yes, age is not a number, as they say, but still it is possible to do it and that is what is the biggest win for me is that I’m still able to still manage and put a smile on somebody’s face, whether it’s back home or anywhere.”