His greying beard is the only giveaway! Else, who would describe Rohan Bopanna as a grand old man of Indian tennis at 43 years old? Certainly not after watching the way he performed in the Australian Open and the final in particular, along with his wonderful Aussie partner Matthew Ebden. The big first serves, the reflexes at the net and the lazy but calculated forehand returns, well he had everything to prove his incredible efficiency. To top it now, the honour also of not just winning his first Grand Slam doubles title, but getting a world number one rank as well! Additionally, Bopanna is now the oldest man to win a Grand Slam in the history of tennis.

See how destiny has played with this lovable Indian who has been on the professional circuit for over two decades, and won many ATP doubles titles aside from a Grand Slam mixed doubles title with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski in the 2017 French Open. Just when it seemed to him that his day to quit was approaching came the delight in Melbourne in the new year. The happiness on his face said it all, even as it hid the years of struggle. Surely, Bopanna will now think or dream of many more wonders with Ebden in the days ahead. The two, it must be mentioned, had finished runner-up in the US Open last year.

Talk of destiny and one cannot but think of Novak Djokovic’s........

© Mathrubhumi English