How does Kumble honor Bopanna's retirement?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rohan Bopanna retired after 20 years in tennis.
- He achieved significant milestones, including Grand Slam titles.
- Anil Kumble commended his dedication and impact on Indian sports.
- Bopanna's career includes partnerships with various players.
- His legacy will inspire future generations of athletes.
New Delhi, Nov 2 (NationPress) Anil Kumble, the former cricketer and coach of India, expressed his heartfelt admiration for Rohan Bopanna, India's tennis legend, as the three-time Olympian announced his retirement, bringing an end to an extraordinary 20-year journey. “How does one say goodbye to a career that has defined their life? After two decades on the professional circuit, it's time for me to step away… I’m officially retiring from competitive tennis,” the 45-year-old Bopanna conveyed on Instagram this Saturday.
The previous men's doubles World No. 1 player achieved a remarkable 26 tour-level doubles titles, with one of his crowning achievements being the Australian Open championship in 2024 alongside Matthew Ebden. This victory elevated Bopanna to the World No. 1 spot for the first time, making him the oldest player to achieve this at the age of 43. He also clinched a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in men's doubles, partnering with Divij Sharan.
Kumble extended his congratulations to Bopanna for his illustrious career on X, stating, “Congratulations @rohanbopanna on a truly phenomenal career. Your unwavering commitment over the last two decades and the pride with which you represented India are truly inspiring. Wishing you abundant success and joy in your future endeavors.”
Bopanna's triumph at the Australian Open last year marked his second Grand Slam win, having previously claimed the mixed doubles title at the 2017 French Open with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski.
Throughout his career, which began in 2003, Bopanna has secured doubles titles with 15 different partners. He won his first title with Eric Butorac in 2008 in Los Angeles and has achieved 539 tour-level victories as per the ATP Win/Loss Index.
In 2010, he reached his inaugural major final at the US Open alongside Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and faced another final loss in New York in 2023 with Ebden. However, at the subsequent Grand Slam in Melbourne, Bopanna and Ebden transformed their heartbreak into triumph by winning their first major title.
Bopanna also finished as a runner-up at the ATP Finals in 2012 and 2015 with Mahesh Bhupathi and Florin Mergea, respectively. His most recent appearance was at the Paris Masters, where he teamed up with Alexander Bublik in a first-round match against John Peers and JJ Tracy, ultimately losing 5-7, 6-2, 8-10.
At the age of 45, he had already announced his retirement from the Indian national team following the Paris 2024 Olympics.