By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 19, 2023
Rohan Bopanna made history for himself and for his country on Saturday night at Indian Wells, when he and Matt Ebden defeated World No.1s Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski for the BNP Paribas Open title.
Bopanna, 43, becomes the oldest man to win a Masters 1000 title.
“I think it’s always special when you get any record as such, but the biggest I think feeling for me is that I was able to pursue my tennis, keep it going, and still believe that I could win big tournaments,” said the hard-serving Bangalore native, who claimed his fifth Masters 1000 title and his first since 2017.
Bopanna and Ebden are partnering for the first time this year, and have already won two titles this season.
Bopanna says the key to his longevity is always looking for ways to get better.
“I think that is where my strengths are,” he said. “You know, constantly finding ways to figure how I can improve. You know, and then look at the partnership on what, you know, can get better.”
The oldest Masters 1000 Champion EVER
43-year-old @rohanbopanna makes history at #TennisParadise! pic.twitter.com/7KALkndyjq
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 19, 2023
The 43-year-old is also happy to make history for history. He is the first Indian man to claim the title at the BNP Paribas Open since legend Leander Paes did it in 2007.
“It’s really special,” he said. “The only person to be representing India, and I really feel proud of that. Every time I know the tournament here, wherever an athlete is from, there is a flag out there. So it’s nice to see the Indian flag always.
“I really feel this week I got a lot of messages on, how many people are still inspired with the fact that I have been able to do this and still looking to say, yes, age is not a number, as they say, but still it is possible to do it and that is what is the biggest win for me is that I’m still able to still manage and put a smile on somebody’s face, whether it’s back home or anywhere.”
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