43-year-old Rohan Bopanna becomes oldest Indian Wells champion | Tennis News – Times of India

INDIAN WELLS: India’s Rohan Bopanna grew to become the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and his Australian accomplice Matt Ebden claimed the boys’s doubles crown on the BNP Paribas Open right here.
The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden, 35, defeated top-seeded Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 within the last on Saturday.
“Truly special. It’s called Tennis Paradise for a reason,” stated Bopanna, who was taking part in in his tenth ATP Masters 1000 last.

“I’ve been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I’m really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here.
“It’s been some powerful matches, shut matches. Today we performed in opposition to top-of-the-line groups on the market. Really joyful that we bought the trophy.”
Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

“I spoke to Danny Nestor and I advised him sorry I’m going to beat his document,” he joked. “Winning the title, that stays with me, so actually proud of that.”
It was the 43-year-old’s fifth Masters 1000 doubles title and first since he won in Monte Carlo in 2017. This was the third final of the year for the Indo-Australian duo. He now holds 24 tour-level trophies in his cabinet.

The Indo-Australian pair surprised defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock within the semi-finals, whereas getting the higher off Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov within the quarters.

Bopanna and Ebden had defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez in their opening match.
A former World No. 3, Bopanna jumped four places to No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Rankings.