Huge relief after years and years of trying: Rohan Bopanna after winning Aus Open

Rohan Bopanna became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title as he and partner Mathew Ebden lifted the Australian Open men’s doubles title on Saturday with a 7-6 (0), 7-5 victory over Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. This is 43-year-old’s first men’s doubles title, coming days after he is confirmed to be the world No 1 for the first time.

After the win, Bopanna and Ebden spoke to the reporters at the press conference. Excerpts:

Q: Is this your best moment ever on a tennis court?

Ebden: Yeah, I mean, to win a slam here at home… We said it’s the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific and to do it with a fellow Asia-Pacific man, an Indian guy with Aussie guy, I think it’s pretty awesome that we got the title.

Bopanna: For me, without a doubt the best moment in my career. I mean, there are so many thoughts which are running through my head – like as if it’s ready to explode. But, you know, with the year we had last year, to continue and start off like this and win a Grand Slam, you know, no better player to do it with. Like Matt said, it is a home slam, after all. Amazing, amazing feeling.

Q: Since teaming up last year you’ve had very quick success; semis at Wimbledon, final U.S., and one better this year at the Oz Open. What do you attribute to your quick success as a doubles pair?

Ebden: I think we both challenged each other to improve in certain areas. I think that part of the partnership has been a godsend maybe for both of us, because I feel like we both improved a heck of a lot over 12 months ago. I know I certainly have. I’ve seen Bops playing incredible this last 6 to 9 to 10 months as well.

I think these days to win in doubles or to be No. 1, the best, you have to be really great in every area. You can’t just be a serve-volleyer or have a bad forehand or have bad returns or a bad serve or something. The level is so high.

Q: You spoke on the court about struggling to win matches and thoughts of quitting the game. Do you have any words of wisdom and advice from your experience, for those going through similar testing times?

Bopanna: I think the No. 1 thought which comes to my head is to not really have limitations. We set ourselves those limitations. As human beings, we have goals. When we don’t achieve that quickly or in a time frame, we think that’s the end of that journey. So I think the biggest thing is to speak about how you’re feeling, whether it is even to yourself.

I still remember back in Estoril, in Portugal, I was…