In a remarkable feat of resilience and determination, 43-year-old tennis stalwart Rohan Bopanna celebrated his 500th career win at the Australian Open 2024, solidifying his status as one of India’s tennis icons. The seasoned player, joined by men’s doubles partner Matthew Ebden, notched up his 501st victory in the second round, defeating the Australian duo of John Millman and Edward Winter in straight sets.
Expressing his elation on achieving the milestone, Bopanna shared, “It’s a truly special feeling that I got myself to 500 wins. There have been a lot of sacrifices in this journey and a lot of people were with me during this time,” during an exclusive conversation with Sony Sports Network’s expert panellist Somdev Devvarman on the studio show Extraaa Serve.
With an impressive tally of 21 career titles, Bopanna stands as one of India’s most decorated tennis professionals. His journey in tennis has been marked by adaptability, evolving his playing style over the years. Reflecting on his ability to stay competitive, Bopanna revealed, “It was very difficult to not be able to serve & volley, which I was always taught to do and was my style. I had to manage it and find new ways of playing that worked while playing at the highest level.”
Bopanna attributed part of his success to his commitment to Iyengar yoga, a regimen he adopted during the pandemic in 2020. “I started doing 90-minute sessions four times a week, and it significantly made a positive impact on my health,” he shared. The mental strength gained through yoga also played a pivotal role, as Bopanna emphasized, “I became much stronger mentally, clearer in the way I was thinking while playing tennis. That made a great difference, and I enjoyed myself being on the court last year.”
The Australian Open’s challenging conditions posed a unique set of obstacles for Bopanna, who noted the tricky nature of the Melbourne weather. “It’s really tricky, the conditions in Melbourne. When it is windy, tennis is really different. You can’t go after your serve; you have to play the percentage game. That is really not my style, and I had to work really hard with my legs. But thankfully, we got through,” he concluded.
Looking ahead, Bopanna and Ebden are geared up for their men’s doubles third-round clash against Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic on Sunday, 21st January 2024, exclusively on Sony Sports Network. As Bopanna continues to defy odds and push his boundaries, his journey at the Australian Open serves as an inspiration to tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
The Sportz Planet Desk
