Australian Open 2024: Doubles champion Matt Ebden calls out ‘ageist’ critics, has big plans for tennis

Newly crowned Australian Open doubles champion Matt Ebden has taken aim at “ageist” critics, while calling for a radical overhaul of the sport he loves.

43-year-old Bopanna (R) and 36-year-old Ebden proved age is but a number. Picture: AFP

Australian Open doubles champion Matt Ebden has called for a radical overhaul of his version of tennis that would bring fans closer to the court, music turned up and players taking less breaks to keep matches moving.

Ebden also called out ageism after he and Rohan Bopanna – with a combined age of 79 – took home the trophy on Saturday night and secured the world No.1 doubles ranking.

Ebden ranked the victory “equally as good or better” than his doubles success at Wimbledon in 2022.

“Doubles has a slight difference from singles in that it can be slightly more entertainment-based around the court,” the West Australian said.

“It’s quicker, it’s faster – but because it’s not long, gruelling points … there is space to have fans engaging, be closer to the court, maybe some music, maybe no sitting down after one end.

India's Rohan Bopanna (R) and Australia's Matthew Ebden celebrate their victory. Picture: AFP

“Just keep the game running, keep it interactive. Doubles has been a little bit ignored from the ATP and it’s valued at 20 per cent in total prizemoney of the year.

“I challenged them. I said, ‘Guys, you’ve got 20 per cent of your asset here, you’re neglecting it. What are you doing?’

“Let’s maximise it for all it’s worth.”

Ebden, 36, is on the ATP Player Advisory Council and “pushed hard” to lead a review into doubles over the past six months.

Bopanna, 43, is the new world No.1 in doubles and received a congratulatory message from friend and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar last week, saying: “Age is just a number but ‘Number 1’ is not just another number”.

43-year-old Bopanna (R) and 36-year-old Ebden proved age is but a number. Picture: AFP

Ebden smashed the doubters who had focused on their birth certificates.

“We see sexism, but there is a thing, ageism – and we see it a lot in media, people, culture, whatever,” he said.

“Of course I have the oldest partner on the tour. Guys say, ‘Oh, he’s so old, too old’.

“I’m like, ‘Watch how the guy plays tennis. What does age have to do with it?’

“It’s not to be respected in an egotistical way, it’s to be respected in looking at the possibilities.

“That’s what Rohan is a symbol of right now. He’ll inspire the whole Indian generation.

“I hope us as Australians, or our youngsters, too can learn some of those similar lessons and even our culture in general.

“We all know what it’s like, people older than us. We look at this or that, they shouldn’t get a job or they can’t do that, yada yada.

“Well, why not? We’re all people. We celebrate all sorts of equality.”