Rafael Nadal issues message to player who broke two very rare and unique records
Nadal reacts to Rohan Bopanna making tennis history at the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal issued a congratulatory message to Rohan Bopanna after the 43-year-old Indian accomplished two very unique achievements at the Australian Open.
On Saturday, Bopanna lifted his first Grand Slam title in men’s doubles after he and his partner Matthew Ebden defeated Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (0) 7-5.
By winning a Grand Slam at 43 years and 329 years, Bopanna became the oldest male player to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title in the Open Era.
Earlier in the tournament, Bopanna secured becoming the oldest world No. 1 in tennis history.
When the ATP rankings list gets updated on Monday, Bopanna – at 43 years and 331 days – will be the top-ranked doubles player for the first time in his career and also the oldest world No. 1.
“Congrats Rohan on an amazing and unique achievement!!!!” Nadal wrote on his Instagram Story and tagged Bopanna.
Bopanna makes history and gets congratulated by Nadal
After Bopanna and Ebden sealed a win at Rod Laver Arena, the 43-year-old Indian cracked some jokes while addressing the crowd.
“You definitely got to know how old I am,” Bopanna jokingly told the crowd after the doubles final. “I’ve changed it a bit, I say I’m at level 43, not age 43 now!”
Before Bopanna, the oldest men’s doubles world No. 1 was Mike Bryan, who was 41 years and 76 days old when he lost the world No. 1 ranking in 2019 July.
“What an amazing tournament. Thanks to my partner Rohan,” Ebden said during the trophy presentation. “Age truly really is not even a number for this guy. He is young at heart. He is a champion and a warrior.”
Now, Bopanna has two Grand Slam titles in his collection. In 2017, Bopanna became a Grand Slam champion after he and Gabriela Dabrowski won the 2017 French Open mixed doubles title.
After a strong start to 2024 with Ebden, there is no doubt that the new world No. 1 team will be looking to add more Grand Slam success to their name in the remainder of the year.
Novak Djokovic congratulates Aryna Sabalenka, has encouraging words for Zheng Qinwen
Djokovic sent a message to Australian Open finalists, Sabalenka and Zheng.
Novak Djokovic issued a congratulatory message to Aryna Sabalenka following the Belarusian’s Australian Open victory and also took a moment to acknowledge Zheng Qinwen’s career-best Grand Slam run.
Sabalenka, 25, successfully defended her Australian Open title after dismantling Zheng 6-3 6-2 in the final.
On her way to winning her second Grand Slam title in 12 months, Sabalenka didn’t lose a single set at Melbourne Park this year.
Rafael Nadal issues message to player who broke two very rare and unique records
Nadal reacts to Rohan Bopanna making tennis history at the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal issued a congratulatory message to Rohan Bopanna after the 43-year-old Indian accomplished two very unique achievements at the Australian Open.
On Saturday, Bopanna lifted his first Grand Slam title in men’s doubles after he and his partner Matthew Ebden defeated Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (0) 7-5. By winning a Grand Slam at 43 years and 329 years, Bopanna became the oldest male player to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title in the Open Era.
Earlier in the tournament, Bopanna secured becoming the oldest world No. 1 in tennis history. When the ATP rankings list gets updated on Monday, Bopanna – at 43 years and 331 days – will be the top-ranked doubles player for the first time in his career and also the oldest world No. 1.
“Congrats Rohan on an amazing and unique achievement!!!!” Nadal wrote on his Instagram Story and tagged Bopanna.
Bopanna makes history and gets congratulated by Nadal
After Bopanna and Ebden sealed a win at Rod Laver Arena, the 43-year-old Indian cracked some jokes while addressing the crowd.
“You definitely got to know how old I am,” Bopanna jokingly told the crowd after the doubles final. “I’ve changed it a bit, I say I’m at level 43, not age 43 now!”
Before Bopanna, the oldest men’s doubles world No. 1 was Mike Bryan, who was 41 years and 76 days old when he lost the world No. 1 ranking in 2019 July.
“What an amazing tournament. Thanks to my partner Rohan,” Ebden said during the trophy presentation. “Age truly really is not even a number for this guy. He is young at heart. He is a champion and a warrior.”
Now, Bopanna has two Grand Slam titles in his collection. In 2017, Bopanna became a Grand Slam champion after he and Gabriela Dabrowski won the 2017 French Open mixed doubles title.
After a strong start to 2024 with Ebden, there is no doubt that the new world No. 1 team will be looking to add more Grand Slam success to their name in the remainder of the year.
Rafael NadalRohan Bopannabop an Australian Open
Novak Djokovic congratulates Aryna Sabalenka, has encouraging words for Zheng Qinwen
Djokovic sent a message to Australian Open finalists, Sabalenka and Zheng.
Novak Djokovic issued a congratulatory message to Aryna Sabalenka following the Belarusian’s Australian Open victory and also took a moment to acknowledge Zheng Qinwen’s career-best Grand Slam run.
Sabalenka, 25, successfully defended her Australian Open title after dismantling Zheng 6-3 6-2 in the final. On her way to winning her second Grand Slam title in 12 months, Sabalenka didn’t lose a single set at Melbourne Park this year.
On his Instagram Story, Djokovic shared the Australian Open’s post about Aryna Sabalenka’s triumph and wrote: “Congratulations.” Also, Djokovic added tiger and trophy emojis – for context, Sabalenka has a tattoo of a tiger on her left forearm.
On the other side, 21-year-old Zheng enjoyed a breakthrough Grand Slam tournament at Melbourne Park. At this year’s Australian Open, Zheng first made her first Grand Slam semifinal before also going a step further and making her maiden Major final.
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