'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwgQAAIBBAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBREGBwgSIXEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGEQACAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQIDAAQSMXH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AJp1Nx7hvZNvPZZ3Bh1hx0t6jRTtGQ+zCP3SpWrH8d+kLp2nfij+8pLtrJXajbfT8VwBSlDCA3NschC1ALwZR6tVdtUO4txZ+vP/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rohan Bopanna became the oldest Masters 1000 champion in ATP history on Saturday, winning the 2023 BNP Paribas Open doubles title with partner Matthew Ebden. The Indian-Australian pair defeated top seeds Neal Skupski and Wesley Koolhof 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final to win their second title together this season.
The record was previously held by Canadian doubles legend Daniel Nestor. Nestor won the 2015 Cincinnati Open alongside Edouard Roger-Vasselin as a 42-year-old -- a mere few days younger than 43-year-old Bopanna.
The former World No. 1 retired in 2018 after a career spanning 27 years, finishing with 91 men's doubles trophies to his name.
Speaking at his post-tournament press conference, Rohan Bopanna revealed that he immediately texted Nestor after his win to apologize for breaking his record. He added that the Canadian responded with some "kind" words that the Indian kept to himself.
"I'm really happy that -- I did text Danny Nestor and tell him I'm sorry that I broke his record. He had some kind words for me, which I can't tell you. So yeah, but it's really nice, and Dan is a close friend of mine. I've won a couple titles with him. It's really nice," Bopanna said.
While the former World No. 3 was happy to write his name on the record books, he was even happier to be able to keep going even at the age of 43 and keep believing that he could win big tournaments.
"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," Rohan Bopanna said.
"I think that has been the key, and I think, you know, having a partner like Matt to, you know, especially we decided last year was to win these 500, 1000 events, try to do well at the tournaments."
Rohan Bopanna also had plenty of praise for Ebden, who, like Bopanna himself, had the drive to keep improving and dream bigger and bigger.
As for his own results of late, the 43-year-old had no complaints. He patted himself on the back for putting in the work behind the scenes and finding a way to figure out improvements in his game to propel himself forward.
"I don't think if I was ready to do that, then this would have been the right partnership, but I know I had to put in my side of the work, put in a lot of effort, then making sure that I'm recovered and playing good tennis to be able to achieve and do this," Bopanna said.
"I think that is where my strengths are. You know, constantly finding ways to figure on how I can improve. You know, and then look at the partnership on what, you know, can get better," he added.
"The only person to be representing India, and I really feel proud of that" - Rohan Bopanna
Rohan Bopanna also spoke about being one of the last Indian tennis players on the ATP Tour. He remarked that it felt nice to see his national flag fluttering during tournaments thanks to him.
"Yeah, happy any time you have anything like this, it's really special. 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," Rohan Bopanna said.
Bopanna also revealed that he got a lot of messages from fans after his win, who congratulated him and thanked him for inspiring them to keep going despite their advanced age. He considered it his "biggest" win, cherishing the ability he had to put a smile on people's faces across the globe.
"You know, I really feel this week I got a lot of messages on, you know, 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, you know, not a number, as they say, but still it is possible to do it and, you know, that is what is the biggest win for me is that I'm still able to still manage and, you know, put a smile on somebody's face, you know, whether it's back home or anywhere," Rohan Bopanna said.
