Rohan Bopanna retires from professional tennis
Indian sports great shares news via social media
Oldest man to claim a Grand Slam title in the Open Era
Tennis legend Rohan Bopanna bid adieu to the sport on Saturday (November 1, 2025), bringing the curtains down on a professional career spanning two decades on tour.
Sharing the news of his retirement via social media, Bopanna wrote: “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. Starting my journey from a small town of Coorg in India, chopping blocks of wood to strengthen my serve... to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world — it all feels surreal... Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life.”
In January 2024, Bopanna had become the oldest-ever world number one in men's doubles tennis at 43. He went on to become the oldest man to claim a Grand Slam title in the Open Era, as he won the Australian Open doubles crown alongside partner Matthew Ebden.
The 45-year-old Bopanna's final appearance on the Tour came at the Paris Masters, where he partnered Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik, losing in the opening round in October 2025. Bopanna had ended his India career after the Paris Olympics last year. He had announced his retirement from Davis Cup in 2023, playing his last tie against Morocco in Lucknow.
The doubles specialist described tennis as more than a sport, calling it a source of "purpose, strength and belief" through challenging moments. "Every time I stepped onto a court, it taught me perseverance, resilience to rise, to fight again when everything inside me said I couldn’t—and most of all, reminded me why I started and who I am," he said.
Bopanna also paid tribute to his family, crediting them for their support throughout his career. He thanked his parents for their sacrifices, his sister Rashmi for her constant encouragement, and his wife Supriya for being his “greatest partner off court.”.
Bopanna, who turned professional in the early 2000s, became one of India’s most successful doubles players, known for his powerful serve and longevity on the ATP Tour. Over his career, he represented India in multiple Davis Cup ties, Grand Slam events, and the Olympics.
He won his first Grand Slam when he triumphed at the French Open mixed doubles event with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski in 2017. In 2023, Bopanna won the Indian Wells trophy with partner Ebden, becoming the oldest ATP Masters champion at 43 years-old.
(With PTI inputs)
