Indian tennis veteran Rohan Bopanna etched his name into the history books today, becoming the oldest winner of a Grand Slam men’s doubles title at 43 years and 329 days old. Alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden, the No. 2 seeds defeated the unseeded Italian pairing of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7–6, 7–5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim the Australian Open men’s doubles crown.
This victory marked a momentous occasion for Bopanna, who, in his 61st Grand Slam attempt since his Australian debut in 2008, finally secured his first-ever men’s doubles major title.
Bopanna’s remarkable achievement surpasses the previous male record held by Jean-Julien Rojer (Netherlands, b. August 25, 1981), who was 40 years and 283 days old when he won the French Open men’s doubles with Marcelo Arévalo on June 4, 2022. Other notable male players who have won major doubles titles after turning 40 include Mike Bryan (b. April 29, 1978), who won the US Open men’s doubles in 2018, and fellow Indian legend Leander Paes (b. June 17, 1973), who took the US Open men’s doubles title in 2013.
While Bopanna now holds the male record, the overall oldest winner of a Grand Slam tennis title remains the legendary Martina Navratilova (USA, b. October 18, 1956). She was just shy of her 50th birthday (49 years and 326 days) when she lifted the mixed doubles trophy – her 59th and final Grand Slam title – with Bob Bryan at the US Open on September 9, 2006.
Bopanna’s triumph is a testament to his enduring career, dedication, and resilience, proving that age is truly just a number in the world of professional tennis.
