Indian tennis icon Rohan Bopanna has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, marking the end of an extraordinary two-decade-long career that made him one of the country’s greatest ever players. His final appearance came at the Paris Masters 1000 on November 1, alongside partner Alexander Bublik.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, the 44-year-old said, “How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? I’m officially hanging up my racquet. A goodbye… but not the end.”
A Journey from Coorg to the Global Stage
Bopanna, who hails from Coorg, Karnataka, recalled his early days training on uneven courts and running through coffee plantations to build stamina. “From chopping wood to strengthen my serve to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas — it all feels surreal,” he wrote.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bopanna has been a pillar of Indian tennis, representing the nation with pride at Davis Cup, Asian Games, and Olympics. His near miss at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he and Sania Mirza finished fourth, remains one of Indian tennis’s most memorable moments.
Historic Achievements and Records
Bopanna created history as the oldest first-time World No. 1 in doubles at the age of 43 in 2023. The same year, he became the oldest man ever to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era after lifting the Australian Open doubles crown with Matthew Ebden.
His partnership with Ebden also brought him victories at the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open, making him the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion in history. Bopanna first tasted Grand Slam glory in 2017, winning the French Open mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Thanking his family — wife Supriya and daughter Tridha — Bopanna said, “They are my strength and my reason. Representing India has been the greatest honor of my life.”
He added that although he is stepping away from professional competition, his connection with the sport remains unbroken. “Tennis gave me purpose when I was lost, strength when I was broken, and belief when the world doubted me,” he said. “I may be stepping away from competition, but my story with tennis isn’t over.”
Bopanna leaves behind a legacy defined by longevity, passion, and pride — a true ambassador for Indian sport.
