India’s Rohan Bopanna reached the Australian Open 2024 men’s doubles semi-finals on Wednesday, becoming the oldest tennis player in history to reach the world’s top ranking.
Bopanna, 43, teamed up with Matthew Ebden to defeat Argentinians Máximo González and Andrés Molteni in straight sets, advancing to the final four of the year’s opening Grand Slam competition. Bopanna and Ebden won 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Bopanna will officially take the top spot when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday, with partner Ebden coming in second. Bopanna and Ebden entered the tournament as the second seed in the draw.
Bopanna is among the most successful Indian tennis players. Leander Paes and Sania Mirza have won over 700 matches in their careers, while Mahesh Bhupathi ended his brilliant career just three victories short of 700.
Bopanna, 43, became the oldest tennis player to win an ATP Masters series doubles title when he won the Indians Masters with partner Ebden. At the year-end Finals, he also made history as the oldest player to win a match.