Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India’s two-time Grand Slam winner Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from professional tennis on November 1, bringing an end to his 20-year-long celebrated career, which saw him bring many laurels to the country. Bopanna’s decision to hang up his boots came days after his last appearance at the Paris Masters 1000, where he teamed up with Alexander Bublik. The duo ultimately lost the Round of 32 match, falling 5-7, 6-2, 10-8 to John Peers and James Tracy. “How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it’s time I’m officially hanging up my racquet,” he wrote in a lengthy social media post.
Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest tennis players, Bopanna built a remarkable legacy based on a powerful serve, deft net skills, and a lasting influence in both men’s and mixed doubles. Over a career spanning more than twenty years, the 45-year-old has been a cornerstone of Indian tennis, representing the nation with pride in numerous Davis Cup campaigns and at the Olympic Games.
Bopanna’s breakthrough moment came in 2017, when he lifted the French Open mixed doubles title alongside Gabriela Dabrowski, cementing his place among the sport’s elite. Yet, it was in 2024 that he achieved one of the most extraordinary feats of his career – clinching the Australian Open men’s doubles crown and ascending to World No. 1 at the age of 43, a testament to his resilience, professionalism and enduring love for the game. “As I write this, my heart feels both heavy and grateful. Starting my journey from a small town of Coorg in India, chopping blocks of wood to strengthen my serve, jogging through coffee estates to build stamina and chasing dreams on cracked courts to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world – it all feels surreal. Tennis hasn’t been just a game for me – It has given me purpose when I was lost, strength when I was broken and belief when the world doubted me,” Bopanna’s post read.
