In the world of tennis, where skill trumps age, Rohan Bopanna is rewriting the rules at 45! He began playing tennis at 11, encouraged by his father, and took it seriously at 19. Bopanna soared to a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 1 last year and boasts 26 titles, including a Grand Slam win at the 2024 Australian Open with Matthew Ebden. Despite recent setbacks and splitting ways with Ebden, his new partnership with Ben Shelton is proving to be a game-changer! Even helping him earn a new milestone!
On Sunday, the duo lit up the Monte Carlo Masters, defeating the Argentine-Chilean duo of Francisco Cerundolo and Alejandro Tabilo in a thrilling Round of 32 match. The unseeded pair secured a comfortable victory in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, with Bopanna breaking their opponents’ serve three times to seal the win in just 71 minutes. But that’s not all! This marks a new milestone for the Indian. At 45 years old, he surpassed the previous record held by Canada’s Daniel Nestor, who achieved the feat at 44 years and 8 months in the 2017 Madrid Masters—ironically, against Bopanna himself!
He took to Instagram to express his excitement and gratitude for this achievement. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, he said, “Hi everyone. Rohan Bopanna right here from the Monte Carlo Masters. For me personally, yesterday’s win, it’s a very very big achievement. Not only, of course playing with a young, energetic player such as Ben Shelton. But also gets me in the record books yet again for being the oldest player to win a Masters 1000 match. And I think, for all those years, those setbacks I’ve gone through and everything, it’s about just showing up and being there.”
Bopanna’s journey in 2025 has been marked by challenges. Following a split with Ebden in November 2024, he struggled to find consistency with new teammates. Despite reaching the quarters in Qatar with Nuno Borges, he faced early exits in several tournaments, including Adelaide, the Australian Open, Dubai, and the Sunshine Double. His ranking dropped significantly from the No.1 spot he held last year to No.43 currently.
However, partnering with Ben Shelton seems to be a turning point for Bopanna. Shelton’s youthful energy and Bopanna’s experience make them a formidable duo. As Bopanna noted, “Today I’m proud of those achievements. And I think if I can, inspiring a lot of people out there for the longevity of being in this sport, I think it’s fabulous. So thank you for all the support and see you all there tomorrow!”
Bopanna’s resilience and achievements are truly inspiring. Last year, he became the oldest player to win an ATP Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open and the oldest Grand Slam winner in the Open era after winning the Australian Open men’s doubles with Matthew Ebden. Despite retiring from representing India after the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bopanna continues to thrive on the ATP tour, proving that age is indeed just a number in tennis.
While we’ll have to wait and see if they’ll win the Monte Carlo title, being a doubles player certainly comes with its challenges. Additionally, Bopanna isn’t too pleased with the format shift at the US Open this year.
Bopanna expresses concerns with the new revamped US Open mixed doubles event
In February, the US Open announced a radical overhaul of its mixed doubles format, set to take place on August 19-20, just before the singles main draw. This revamped competition will feature a $1 million prize for the winners and a condensed 16-team draw, half the size of last year’s event. The format change aims to attract top singles players, but it hasn’t been well-received by doubles specialists like Rohan Bopanna.
The former doubles No.1 expressed his disappointment with the new format, which he believes sidelines India from contention. “India has always found its Grand Slam success in doubles, where Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, & myself in some way have inspired generations,” he noted in an interview with Sportskeeda. Also emphasizing that by restricting entry to singles-ranked players, the US Open effectively denies Indian fans the chance to see their country represented on a major stage. He added, “If Indian doubles players can’t compete, the very foundation of our tennis culture takes a hit.”
But his concerns extend beyond the immediate impact on current players. He believes this decision could dampen the aspirations of young Indian athletes and affect the sport’s popularity and development in India. “For decades, Indian tennis has thrived on doubles, providing a legitimate path to global recognition despite the lack of extensive infrastructure and funding for singles development,” he explained. “This rule change slams that door shut, forcing players into a singles-centric system that India has historically struggled with.”
While it’s yet to be seen how that will unfold, in the meantime, he’s gearing up for his Round of 16 match with Ben Shelton in Monte Carlo. Will they deliver yet another win and go further into the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post “Those Setbacks I’ve Gone Through…,” Ben Shelton’s Doubles Partner Rohan Bopanna Revamps Masters 1000 Feat in Record Books appeared first on EssentiallySports.