Rohan Bopanna has officially concluded his remarkable run in professional tennis after a career spanning more than 20 years. Known for his honesty and competitive spirit, the Indian doubles specialist decided that the time had come to bid farewell to the sport that defined his life. Bopanna, who began his tennis dream in Coorg, worked tirelessly on rugged courts and trained through tough conditions before shining under the bright lights of the world’s biggest stadiums.
One moment that captured his sportsmanship was during the 2023 US Open doubles final, when he corrected a line call to award a point to his opponents despite trailing in the deciding set. It was a reminder of the values that shaped his career. His perseverance finally paid off when he lifted his first men’s doubles Grand Slam trophy at the 2024 Australian Open, adding to his mixed doubles triumph from Roland Garros in 2017.
Bopanna’s achievements include becoming the oldest world No.1 in men’s doubles rankings, posing a powerful serve and a signature one-handed backhand that made him a strong presence at the net. He collected multiple ATP Masters titles, represented India at three Olympic Games, and proudly contributed to medal-winning performances at the Asian Games.
Despite being overshadowed for many years by notable Indian tennis icons like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza, Bopanna earned significant national recognition later in his career, including the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri. Looking ahead, he has expressed his desire to support young players who come from small towns like he once did, ensuring that future generations believe that their background does not limit their ambition.
His retirement marks the close of an era for Indian tennis but opens a new path where Bopanna continues to inspire and shape the sport beyond the competition court.
