Rohan Bopanna has raised the spirits of many ageing sports enthusiasts by becoming not only the oldest world No 1 tennis player, but the oldest male Grand Slam champion in the Open era after he and partner Matt Ebden won the doubles on Saturday night.
At 43, Indian Bopanna’s beard has turned grey and his frame is burlier than it used to be. But after reaching the ranking summit with Australian Ebden on Wednesday, they took out the final against Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6, 7-5. It is the third year running that an Australian has featured in the winning doubles team at the tournament.
