Rohan
Bopanna made history alongside Mathew Ebden, becoming the oldest tennis player
to win an
ATP Finals match by defeating Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler.
Bopanna and
Ebden left their mark on the Nitto ATP Finals 2023 with a solid 6-4, 6-4
victory over Australians Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler. This historic
triumph, at 43 years old, established Bopanna as the oldest player to win a
match in the season-ending tournament's history.
The
previous oldest player to win a match at the tournament was Canada's Daniel
Nestor who was 42 in 2014. Earlier this year, Bopanna became the oldest ATP
Masters 1000 champion when he won the Indian Wells doubles alongside Ebden.
Competing
in Turin this week after a sensational campaign on the ATP Tour, Bopanna and
Ebden showcased immediate chemistry as a doubles pair. They secured victories
in Doha and the ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, even reaching their first
Grand Slam final at the US Open.
In a
pivotal match to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, Bopanna and Ebden
demonstrated impeccable synchronization, losing only one point on their first
serve in the first set. The duo, entering the tournament with a 0-1 record
after losing their opening match to defending champions Rajeev Ram and Joe
Salisbury, improved to 1-1 in the Red Group.
Bopanna, a
veteran with four Nitto ATP Finals appearances, leads the pair with his
extensive experience, while 35-year-old Ebden makes his debut in the
season-closing event. Following a remarkable season together, including
trophies in Doha and Indian Wells and a Grand Slam final appearance, the duo
aims to advance to the semifinals.
Their next
challenge will be facing Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski in their final
round-robin match. With qualification still to be determined, the pair aims to
secure their spot in the semifinals with a strong performance against the
group's top-seeded team.