Rohan Bopanna Announces Retirement: India’s Tennis Icon Bids Farewell After Two Decades of Glory

Rohan Bopanna retires at 45 after 20 years on tour — India’s oldest Grand Slam champion, World No. 1 in men’s doubles ends an illustrious career with 26 ATP titles.

Indian tennis great Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from professional tennis, drawing the curtain on a remarkable career that spanned over two decades and elevated him to one of the most respected figures in Indian sport.

Bopanna, 45, made the announcement on Saturday after playing his final professional match at the Paris Masters 1000, where he partnered Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan. The Paris Masters is part of the elite ATP Masters 1000 series, one tier below the Grand Slams in prestige and ranking points.

A Career Etched in History

In an emotional message shared on Instagram, Bopanna wrote:

“How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it’s time… I’m officially hanging up my racquet. From chopping wood in Coorg to strengthen my serve, to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world — it feels surreal. Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life.”

Bopanna’s journey — from Coorg in Karnataka to the global tennis stage — is a story of longevity, passion, and discipline. Since turning professional in 2003, he has amassed an impressive 26 ATP Tour titles, won two Grand Slam crowns, represented India at three Olympic Games, and served as a mainstay of the Davis Cup team for more than 20 years.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Bopanna reached a historic milestone in January 2024, when he became the oldest first-time World No. 1 in men’s doubles at the age of 43 years and nine months — a feat unmatched in tennis history.Later that same year, he lifted the Australian Open men’s doubles title with his partner Matthew Ebden, becoming the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era.

The “Open Era” refers to the period since 1968 when professionals and amateurs began competing together in major tournaments.

That Australian Open triumph was his second Grand Slam. His first came at the 2017 French Open, where he won the mixed doubles title partnering Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada.

Bopanna’s 2024 season was among the most decorated of his career — he also won an ATP Masters 1000 title and reached the final of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, making him the second-oldest men’s doubles finalist in Open Era history, behind the legendary John McEnroe.

Representing India: A Career of Service and Honour

A three-time Olympian, Bopanna represented India at the 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio Olympics. At Rio, he narrowly missed an Olympic medal, finishing fourth in mixed doubles alongside Sania Mirza.

In 2018, he won the Asian Games gold medal, further cementing his reputation as India’s leading doubles player. Earlier in his career, he also partnered Mirza to win the Asian Hopman Cup in 2006, a qualifying event for the 2007 Hopman Cup, one of international tennis’s prestigious mixed-team tournaments.

An Arjuna Award recipient — one of India’s highest sporting honours — Bopanna’s commitment to the national cause was unwavering. He remained a consistent presence in the Indian Davis Cup team, contributing to the country’s international campaigns for over two decades.

The Final Chapter and Beyond

Although retiring from the professional circuit, Bopanna’s connection with tennis is far from over. He has already taken steps to nurture the sport’s growth in India — notably by bringing the UTR Tennis Pro circuit to the country.

The UTR, or Universal Tennis Rating, is a global tennis performance index that ranks players based on competitive results, helping bridge amateur and professional levels.

He is also reportedly working on new developmental initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s tennis ecosystem and supporting emerging players.

A Legacy of Perseverance and Inspiration

Bopanna’s career, marked by consistency, adaptability, and sportsmanship, stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes. From training in the coffee plantations of Coorg to winning on the grandest courts in Melbourne and Paris, his journey epitomizes the triumph of resilience.

As he said in his farewell post,

“Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life.”

With 26 ATP titles, two Grand Slam victories, an Asian Games gold, and the rare distinction of being both the oldest Grand Slam champion and World No. 1 doubles player, Rohan Bopanna’s name is etched permanently in tennis history.