“A Goodbye… but not the end" - Rohan Bopanna announces retirement after two decades in the sport

Rohan Bopanna has announced his retirement from tennis at the stunning age of 45-years-old. The Indian star became the oldest men's Grand Slam champion when he took home glory in the 2024 Australian Open.

He announced his retirement after two decades in the sport with a heartfelt post on his Instagram page. “A Goodbye… but not the end, 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," Bopanna wrote at the start of the statement.

"From a small town of Coorg in India, chopping blocks of wood to strengthen my serve, jogging through coffee estates to build stamina and chasing dreams on cracked courts to standing under the lights of the biggest arenas in the world – it all feels surreal. Tennis hasn't just been a game for me - it has given me purpose when I was lost, strength when I was broken and belief when the world doubted me."

Bopanna began his career back in 2003, but it would not be until 2008 when he made his Grand Slam debut in Melbourne. Paired up with Rajeev Ram, they made it to the third-round where they were dumped out. He started to make large strides in the sport when he partnered up with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. They reached the 2010 Wimbledon quarter-final before Bopanna reached his maiden Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows, losing out to legendary duo Bob and Mike Bryan.

A year later the Indian won his first Masters 1000 title, triumphing in the Paris Masters after once again going deep in the US Open. In 2012, he partnered with fellow countryman Mahesh Bhupathi. They reached three Masters 1000 finals together this year, losing out in Cincinnati and Shanghai, but Bopanna managed to defend his title in Paris. For the second year on the bounce, he reached the ATP Finals but could not get over the line.

He was still competing at a high level, but was not able to collect the biggest titles for a few years. He made Wimbledon semi-finals in 2013 and 2015, while collecting his third Masters 1000 title in Madrid with Romanian Florin Mergea. The duo once again reached the climax tie in Madrid but could not triumph in 2016.

In 2017, Bopanna finally claimed his first Grand Slam title. He had been playing in mixed doubles along with men's doubles and partnered with Gabriela Dabrowski they stormed to the title. It was a huge step for Bopanna, who finally secured his dream. He was not done there, as he had the chance to double his major tally. This time teaming up with Hungarian Timea Babos in the Australian Open mixed doubles final. Ironically, Bopanna was defeated by his partner in his title-run last year, Dabrowski, who got the better of her former partner.

Five years later, he made a third mixed doubles final with a third different partner. Him and fellow Indian Sania Mirza could not clinch glory for their country, with Bopana's wait for another Grand Slam prolonging. Fortunately, it would be just around the corner. Now teamed up with Matthew Ebden, the pair lost in the US Open final before Bopanna became the oldest men's Grand Slam champion after they overcame Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. This title would propel Bopanna to the number one rank in doubles.

He finished off his career at the ongoing Paris Masters, teamed up with Alexander Bublik. It has been a hugely successful career from Bopanna, with a variety of achievements casting a bright light over what has been a fantastic career.