Mumbai: Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned over 20 years. His final match took place at the Paris Masters 1000, where he partnered with Alexander Bublik—an emotional farewell at a tournament that holds a special place in his career.
In an emotional statement released by his media team, Bopanna said, “How do you bid farewell to something that gave your life its meaning? After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it’s time… I’m officially hanging up my racquet. From chopping wood in Coorg to strengthen my serve, to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world—it feels surreal. Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life, and every time I stepped on court, I played for that flag, that feeling, that pride.”
Throughout his career, Bopanna became a symbol of perseverance and passion. Earlier this year, he made history as the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title and to reach World No. 1 in doubles. His career highlights also include representing India at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where he and Sania Mirza narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth. He was also a long-time pillar of India’s Davis Cup team.
Though he’s retiring from competitive tennis, Bopanna remains deeply connected to the sport. He recently brought the UTR Tennis Pro initiative to India and continues to mentor young athletes through his tennis academy, helping them gain exposure to the international circuit.
At 45, Bopanna leaves the court as the oldest player ever to win both a Grand Slam and an ATP Masters 1000 title. Fans will still see him in action soon, as he’s set to participate in Season 7 of the Tennis Premier League (TPL), scheduled from December 9 to 14 at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium in Ahmedabad.
