Rohan Bopanna, at 43 years old, etched his name in tennis history as the oldest man in the Open Era to secure a Grand Slam title. He clinched his inaugural men’s doubles major alongside Australia’s Matthew Ebden at the 2024 Australian Open. The duo triumphed over the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori with a score of 7-6(0), 7-5 on the illustrious Rod Laver Arena. This victory marked Bopanna’s second Grand Slam achievement following his 2017 French Open mixed doubles win and Ebden’s second men’s doubles trophy and third overall.
Bopanna and Ebden showcased dominance throughout the match, particularly with their serves, winning 80% of points on their first serve and eluding any break points in the one-hour, 40-minute encounter. Their prowess was evident in the opening set tiebreak, where they secured victory without conceding a single point, marking their seventh consecutive flawless performance in Melbourne. The second-seeded duo seized the pivotal moment by breaking in the 11th game of the second set, with Ebden serving out the victory, capped off by Bopanna’s forehand smash volley.
The duo’s triumph at the Australian Open men’s doubles earned them a prize purse of 730,000 Australian dollars, with Bopanna set to receive half of the winnings, totaling 365,000 AUD, equivalent to approximately INR 1.99 crore. Meanwhile, the runners-up, Bolelli and Vavassori, took home 400,000 AUD as a team.
The Australian Open organisers had announced a notable 13.07% increase in the prize money pool compared to the previous year, amounting to an additional 10 million AUD, bringing the total to 86.5 million AUD. Tournament director Craig Tiley emphasized their commitment to enhancing prize money across all rounds, particularly elevating rewards for qualifying and early rounds of singles and doubles. This substantial increase underscores their dedication to ensuring the Australian Open remains a premier event and supports players in delivering peak performances on the global stage.
Rohan Bopanna’s historic achievement not only adds to his illustrious career but also reflects the resilience and determination of athletes who continue to defy age barriers and excel at the highest level of competition. As tennis enthusiasts celebrate this momentous victory, Bopanna and Ebden’s triumph serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and excellence in the world of tennis.
Dhairya Saraswat