Indian tennis veteran Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from professional tennis, drawing curtains on a remarkable 22-year career that redefined longevity and consistency in the sport.
Bopanna, 45, made the announcement after his final ATP appearance at the Paris Masters, where he teamed up with Alexander Bublik in the doubles draw. In a heartfelt message titled “A Goodbye… But Not The End,” Bopanna wrote:
“How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life.”
The Coorg-born player retires as one of India’s most decorated doubles specialists. In 2024, he became the oldest player ever to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title, capturing the Australian Open with Matthew Ebden. The same year, he also achieved the World No. 1 doubles ranking, setting another age-defying record.
Bopanna’s career tally includes 26 ATP doubles titles, including the 2017 French Open mixed doubles crown with Gabriela Dabrowski. He was a key figure in India’s Davis Cup campaigns and an Olympian, representing the country at multiple Games.
Tributes have poured in from across the tennis fraternity, with Matthew Ebden calling him “a role model for professionalism and grace.”
Even after retirement, Bopanna plans to stay connected to the game through his academy in Bengaluru and grassroots development projects. His Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bengaluru and collaborations with the UTR Pro Tennis initiative reflect his passion for nurturing the next generation of Indian players. Colleagues remember him as a calm presence as a player who never lost his sense of gratitude.
