In a historic moment at the ATP Finals, India’s Rohan Bopanna, aged 43, achieved the title of the oldest player ever to win a match at this year-ender. He teamed up with Matthew Ebden to defeat Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler with a score of 6-4 6-4 in a round-robin match on Wednesday.
With this win, Bopanna and his Australian partner hold a 1-1 record in their group and have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals, depending on the result of their upcoming match against Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski on Friday.
The previous oldest player to achieve a match win at the tournament was Canada’s Daniel Nestor, who was 42 years old in 2014.
Earlier in the year, Bopanna made history by becoming the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and Ebden won the Indian Wells doubles.
These achievements showcase Bopanna’s skill, determination, and ability to compete at the highest level of professional tennis, even at an advanced age. His continued success serves as an inspiration to athletes of all ages.
His next match will undoubtedly be highly anticipated as fans eagerly await the outcome of his pursuit of a spot in the semi-finals. Regardless of the result, Bopanna’s legacy in the sport is already firmly established.
He has proven that age is just a number and that with talent and hard work, athletes can continue to excel well into their 40s, defying conventional expectations and setting new records.
With his impressive performance at the ATP Finals, Bopanna has once again made a significant mark in the world of tennis, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable and resilient competitor.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Bopanna as he continues to defy the odds and demonstrate the enduring power of his skill and passion for the game.
His journey at the ATP Finals serves as a testament to the fact that age should never be a limiting factor in the pursuit of athletic greatness, and his remarkable achievements will undoubtedly inspire future generations of tennis players.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
