Novak Djokovic took to social media to praise Rohan Bopanna for becoming the oldest World No. 1 men’s doubles on Wednesday with his partner Matt Ebden, at the age of 43 when the latest ATP rankings update will be released on Monday after the conclusion of the grand slam tournament.
Novak Djokovic praising the veteran wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations Bops. Amazing effort. And to do it at such a young age. Even more impressive.”
The second-seed Indo-Aussie pair defeated the sixth-seed Argentine duo Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) at the Margret Court Arena to advance to semis of the Australian Open 2024.
“It (the feat) means a lot not to just me but for Indian tennis also. You need something to inspire the next generation. Sumit (Nagal) also had a great Australian Open. He won a round,” Bopanna told PTI in an exclusive interview from Melbourne.
“Extremely proud of this (world no.1 ranking in men’s doubles). It’s a special moment. Lot of sacrifices have gone into this. My coaches, family everyone. My family is travelling with me, so different feeling,” he added.
The quarterfinal win propels Bopanna ahead of the current World No. 1, USA’s Austin Krajicek, in the ATP Rankings. Krajicek, alongside his Croatian partner Ivan Dodig, were bowed out in the second round.
Bopanna and Ebden will next take on the Czech-Chinese pair of Tomas Machac and Zhizhen Zhang in the semifinals.
Last year the Indian ace became the oldest man to qualify for a grand slam final in the Open era, when he and Ebden lost the US Open final. In addition to their run at the US Open, the pair reached the final at four ATP Masters tournaments and appeared at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Bopanna additionally boasts the distinction of being the oldest player to clinch a men’s doubles title at a Masters event. This achievement was accomplished last year at the age of 43 when he, along with Ebden, emerged victorious at Indian Wells.
Previously on Tuesday, Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, endured a four-hour test in the scorching Melbourne heat, eventually overcoming Taylor Fritz 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic’s victory marked his 33rd consecutive Australian Open win, equalling Monica Seles’s record, and secured his spot in a staggering 48th Grand Slam semifinal.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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