New Delhi, India, January 25, 2024: The Indian Olympic Association has congratulated tennis star and Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Rohan Bopanna on becoming the men’s doubles world number 1.
The IOA on its Instagram page #WeAreTeamIndia posted: “Many congratulations @rohanbopanna0403 on becoming the men’s doubles world number 1.”
Bopanna, 43, is the oldest player to be ranked men’s doubles No.1 in the world.
At last year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, Bopanna partnered Rutuja Bhosale to win the gold medal in the mixed doubles. Bopanna also won a gold medal in the men's doubles event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
The Indian star clinched the top ranking with victory alongside Australian Matt Ebden in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Wednesday, January 24.
Bopanna said reaching No. 1 as a 43-year-old will have a global impact.
“It’s just going to inspire a lot of people, and I don’t think just in tennis. People all over the world, being 40 and above, it’s just going to inspire them in a different way,” he said.
The previous oldest men’s doubles No. 1 was American Mike Bryan at 41 years and 76 days. Bopanna will be 43 years and 330 days old at the end of the Australian Open on Sunday.