Rohan Bopanna scripted history by winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title alongside partner Matthew Ebden, marking him as just the third Indian to achieve such a feat. The Indo-Australian duo secured the victory with a dominant performance against Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
In an emotional on-court interview following his remarkable win, Bopanna opened up about the role his wife has played in his career, particularly highlighting the presence of his in-laws on occasions when he won Grand Slams.
The World No.1 men’s doubles player fondly recalled how his in-laws last visit coincided with his mixed doubles Grand Slam victory at the French Open in 2017, humorously pondering why they didn’t attend his matches more frequently. The presence of his in-laws seemed to bring a charm, or as Bopanna put it, “in-laws luck,” which he felt contributed to his success on the court.
“My in-laws are here. The last time they came I won my mixed doubles Grand Slam (French Open 2017). I don’t know why they don’t come more often. My beautiful wife, Supriya, & my daughter, Tridha.. Thank you for all the support, all the love. I know a couple years ago I sent her a video message & said ‘I’m gonna call it a day.’ Because I wasn’t winning matches at all. I went 5 months without winning a match. I thought that was gonna be the end of my journey. Perseverance inside me just kept me going. I changed so many things & found a wonderful partner,” Bopanna said in his on-court interview.
Bopanna also expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards his wife, Supriya Annaiah, and his daughter, Tridha. Bopanna revealed that there was a time when he considered retirement, as veteran star faced a daunting streak of losses, going five months without a single match win. He even sent a video message to his wife, signaling what he thought might be the end of his tennis journey.
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However, the perseverance that has characterized Bopanna’s career did not falter. He spoke of the internal drive that propelled him to continue, to make changes, and to seek out new strategies and partnerships. His collaboration with Ebden proved to be a turning point, as the two formed a formidable team that would ultimately lead them to Grand Slam glory.
Rohan Bopanna’s story is one of resilience, a narrative that underscores the importance of never giving up, even when the odds seem insurmountable. His Australian Open triumph serves as an inspiration, not only to aspiring athletes but to anyone facing their own battles, reminding us all that with perseverance, support, and perhaps a little bit of luck, great feats are within reach.
