Indian Tennis Legend Rohan Bopanna Announces Retirement

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement (AP)

Indian tennis great and two-time Grand Slam champion Rohan Bopanna on Saturday (November 1) officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an illustrious 20-year journey to an emotional close. The veteran doubles star’s final appearance was at the Paris masters 1000 alongside Alexander Bublik.

In a heartfelt statement, Bopanna reflected on his career, calling it “A goodbye… but not the end.”

“How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning?” Bopanna said, announcing that he was “officially hanging up [his] racquet.”

Bopanna holds the distinction of being the oldest first-time number one in the world, achieving the ranking at the age of 43 last year. Before that, he became the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam title in the Open Era with the Australian Open doubles crown alongside Matthew Ebden.

Tracing his remarkable journey from humble beginnings, Bopanna said it all began in the small town of Coorg.  “Chopping blocks of wood to strengthen my serve, jogging through coffee estates to build stamina, and chasing dreams on cracked courts to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world — it all feels surreal,” he said.

The 44-year-old, who has been one of India’s most consistent performers on the ATP circuit, credited tennis for shaping his life. “It gave me purpose when I was lost, strength when I was broken, and belief when the world doubted me,” he said.

Bopanna expressed deep gratitude to his family, especially his wife Supriya and daughter Tridha, calling them his strength and inspiration. He described representing India as “the greatest honor of my life.”

“I may be stepping away from competition,” he concluded, “but my story with tennis isn’t over.”

He won his first Grand Slam title in 2017, partnering with Gabriela Dabrowski. In 2023, he won the Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000, partnered with Ebden, becoming the oldest player to win a Masters 1000 title at 43. Last year, the pair also clinched the Miami Open, extending his own record as the oldest Masters 1000 champion.

Bopanna came close to winning an Olympic medal at the 2016 Rio Games. Partnering with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles competition, they advanced to the bronze medal match but lost to the Czech team of Lucie Hradecká and Radek Štěpánek, finishing in fourth place.