Rohan Bopanna is an Indian professional tennis player, primarily known for his achievements in men's doubles and mixed doubles. Born in Coorg, Karnataka, he has been one of India's leading doubles specialists on the ATP Tour for more than two decades and has represented the country in the Davis Cup and at multiple Olympic Games.
Key Facts
| Full name | Rohan Bopanna |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 March 1980 |
| Place of birth | Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned professional | 2003 |
| Speciality | Doubles |
| Major titles | 2017 French Open mixed doubles; 2024 Australian Open men's doubles |
| Honour | Arjuna Award |
Background
Bopanna grew up on a coffee plantation in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. He took to tennis at a relatively late age compared to many professionals and built much of his game around a powerful serve, which became one of the fastest on the ATP Tour. He moved through Indian junior and Futures circuits before transitioning to a full-time professional career focused on doubles.
Career
Doubles tour career
Bopanna established himself on the ATP Tour as a doubles specialist, winning multiple titles with a range of partners across the world. His long-running partnership with Pakistani player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, popularly referred to as the "Indo-Pak Express", drew significant attention for its message of cross-border friendship and resulted in their run to the men's doubles final at the 2010 US Open.
Over the years he has partnered players including Eric Butorac, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Florin Mergea, Pablo Cuevas, Daniel Nestor, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Denis Shapovalov, Matthew Ebden and others on the tour, winning ATP titles at the 250, 500 and Masters 1000 levels.
Grand Slam success
Bopanna won his first Grand Slam title at the 2017 French Open, capturing the mixed doubles crown alongside Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski. In January 2024, partnering Australia's Matthew Ebden, he won the men's doubles title at the Australian Open, becoming the oldest man to win a Grand Slam men's doubles title in the Open Era at the time of the win. Following this title, he reached the world No. 1 ranking in men's doubles, becoming the oldest player to attain the doubles top ranking.
Davis Cup and national representation
Bopanna has been a long-standing member of the Indian Davis Cup team, contributing in both singles and, predominantly, doubles ties over many years. He has represented India at the Olympic Games, including in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, partnering players such as Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza (in mixed doubles) and Divij Sharan in different editions.
Asian Games and other multi-sport events
He has won medals for India at the Asian Games, including a gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta with Divij Sharan as partner in the men's doubles event, and additional medals across editions of the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games-style multi-sport competitions.
Playing style
Bopanna is known for a high-velocity first serve, strong net play and an aggressive doubles approach centred on quick points. His serve has frequently been recorded among the fastest on the ATP Tour, and he is regarded as a reliable returner and volleyer in the doubles format.
Off the court
Bopanna runs a tennis academy aimed at developing young Indian players and has been involved in initiatives to expand the sport's reach in the country, particularly in southern India. He is also known for promoting yoga as part of his fitness routine, which he has credited with extending his playing career.
Honours and recognition
- Arjuna Award from the Government of India for distinction in tennis.
- Grand Slam champion in men's doubles (Australian Open) and mixed doubles (French Open).
- Attained the ATP world No. 1 ranking in men's doubles.
- Multiple ATP Tour titles in men's doubles across different categories of events.
Significance
Bopanna is among the most successful Indian tennis players of his generation in doubles, alongside Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza. His career is notable for its longevity, with major successes coming well into his forties, and for the symbolic value of his partnership with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi in the context of India–Pakistan sporting relations.