Mumbai, March 25 (NationPress) As Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from the international tennis circuit in November 2025, Indian tennis enthusiasts were left pondering one crucial question: will India be able to nurture another Grand Slam champion in the near future?

Bopanna clinched the Men's Doubles title at the Australian Open 2024 alongside local talent Matthew Ebden, further securing his Mixed Doubles victory at the 2017 French Open with Gabriela Dabrowski. His 2024 triumph established Bopanna as the oldest major champion in the Open Era at the age of 43 years, 10 months, and 24 days.

The conclusion of Bopanna's career signifies the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian tennis—a legacy that spanned a quarter of a century, initiated by legends Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, and continued by Bopanna and Sania Mirza.

With Bopanna's departure, the legacy he shared with the aforementioned tennis icons reaches a pivotal moment, as each of them once held the prestigious No.1 spot in the ATP Doubles Rankings.

Despite the challenges ahead, Bopanna remains optimistic, asserting that while maintaining this rich legacy may be challenging, India will soon rejoice in the emergence of another Grand Slam victor.

"Absolutely (we will see another winner). If you observe the upcoming players we have been supporting through the Davos Dream of India program, like Yuki Bambri, (Sriram) Balaji, Vikram, Arjun, and several others who have already broken into the top 100 and competed in Grand Slams, I genuinely believe it’s achievable," Bopanna shared in an exclusive interview with IANS, facilitated by ASICS India, a brand he has long been associated with.

When asked to reflect on the future of Indian tennis, Bopanna acknowledged the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of Leander and Mahesh but expressed hope for a similar trajectory. He emphasized the importance of establishing a sustainable structure over the long term.

"It’s certainly a tough act to follow initially. We still have a considerable journey ahead. However, we possess the potential, and with robust government and corporate support, along with an increase in tournaments in India, we have a genuine opportunity to follow a comparable path. The key will be to maintain and nurture this structure over time," Bopanna explained.

Indeed, replicating the nearly 30-year golden era of Indian tennis—during which Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, and Sania Mirza secured multiple Grand Slam titles across men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles—poses a significant challenge.

Still active in the sport as a player and mentor for SC Pipers in the Tennis Premier League, Bopanna continues to contribute through the Rohan Bopanna Foundation, nurturing and mentoring the next generation of tennis stars.