Defying the odds and showing the world that age has no bearing on talent or determination, Rohan Bopanna became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion at the age of 43, taking home the BNP Paribas Open men’s doubles trophy. Together with his skillful partner, Matthew Ebden, the unseeded duo fearlessly took on and conquered the top-ranked titans, Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski. After an adrenaline-pumping match that ended with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 10-8, Bopanna and Ebden celebrated their second title together, just a month after their phenomenal victory in Doha at the Qatar Open. Overwhelmed with emotions, Bopanna spoke of the significance of winning, stating that Indian Wells “truly [was] special” and aptly referred to as “Tennis Paradise.” The dynamic partnership between Bopanna and Ebden continues to inspire and prove that age is just a number on the court.
The remarkable accomplishment of breaking the record for the oldest masters champion was achieved by the former doubles world number three as he won his 24th tour-level trophy. To the surprise of many, he attributed his success to the Indian coffee he drinks while traveling, stating that it was the key to allowing him to recover well after matches. This extraordinary feat was made even more special as it was the record previously held by his former partner, Daniel Nestor. Coming from a family that owns a coffee plantation in the Indian state of Karnataka, he even joked about the minimal practice time he spends before matches, choosing instead to focus on resting his body to be fully prepared and energized for the competition. The dynamic duo of Bopanna and his partner, Matt Ebden, have claimed an impressive 11-4 record together this season, leading to their rise in the ATP doubles rankings to 18th and 11th, respectively, proving that the secret to their success may indeed be found in a cup of Indian coffee.
