He won two Grand Slam titles, lost another four major finals, also won, among other things, six events in the Masters series and, at the age of 43, is the oldest player to ever reach number one in an ATP rankings – now Indian tennis icon Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from professional sport.
“A farewell… but not the end,” Rohan Bopanna opened an emotional statement that he published on the short message service X at the weekend. After “20 unforgettable years on the tour,” the veteran star continued, it was now time to officially hang up the racket.
“As I write this, my heart feels both heavy and grateful,” admits Bopanna, reflecting on his journey from humble beginnings in India to performing in the world’s biggest tennis arenas. “Tennis was never just a game for me – it gave my life meaning when I felt lost, strengthened me when I was down and gave me faith when I doubted,” Bopanna dedicates further beautiful lines to the sport of tennis.
The man from Bangalore also thanks his family, his coaches, his companions, his fans and his home country, which has always been “the greatest honor of his life” for him.
Bopanna wants to support “young dreamers”.
Bopanna reached a Grand Slam final for the first time at the US Open in 2010 alongside Parkistanis Aisam-ul-Hap Qureshi, but lost in a close match to the legendary brothers Bob and Mike Bryan. In 2012 (with the Indian Mahesh Bhupati) and 2015 (with Florian Mergea from Romania), they also suffered defeats in the final of the Tennis World Cup and in their second in 2023 Reached the final at the US Open (with the Australian Matthew Ebden).
It wasn’t until 2024 at the Australian Open that the knot broke: Bopanna and Ebden stormed to the title, which at the same time made Bopanna the oldest number one in tennis history.
However, Bopanna won the first major of his career in 2017 when he triumphed at the French Open in mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski from Canada. In the final they beat DTB star Anna-Lena Grönefeld and the Colombian Robert Farah.
Incidentally, Bopanna will not turn her back on tennis completely. “It is a retirement from competition, but my story in tennis is not over yet,” Bopanna announced. He will now give something back and help “young dreamers” on their way to professional sports.