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It took 61 attempts, with 19 different partners, but Rohan Bopanna finally won his first men’s doubles Grand Slam title to set yet more records. <\/b><\/p>\n
The 43-year-old Indian, already set to become the oldest men’s doubles number one, became the oldest major men’s doubles winner at the Australian Open.<\/p>\n
He and Matthew Ebden beat Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (7-0) 7-5 in Saturday’s final.<\/p>\n
“[It’s] without a doubt the best moment in my career,” Bopanna said. <\/p>\n
“I’m playing my best tennis of my life.”<\/p>\n
Bopanna now tops the Open era list for the most attempts made before winning a men’s doubles Grand Slam title, surpassing American Rajeev Ram’s 58.<\/p>\n
And at 43 years and 329 days, he has become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam doubles title.<\/p>\n
Since teaming up with Australian Ebden at the start of last year, he has set a number of records, including becoming the oldest Masters champion, the oldest finalist at a Grand Slam, and the oldest player to win a match at the ATP Finals. <\/p>\n
Bopanna, who will top the world rankings for the first time on Monday, threw his racquet in the air and fell flat on his back before chest-bumping with Ebden after they sealed the win in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
“He’s young at heart, he’s a champion, he’s a warrior,” Ebden said of his partner.<\/p>\n
The victory came in Bopanna’s 17th attempt in the Australian Open men’s doubles event, which equals the record held by his compatriot Leander Paes.<\/p>\n
During the trophy presentation Bopanna revealed he had considered quitting the sport a couple of years ago. <\/p>\n
“I sent a video message saying I was going to call it a day because I was not winning matches at all,” said Bopanna, who will share prize money of 730,000 Australian dollars (\u00a3377,700) with Ebden.<\/p>\n
“I went five months without winning a match and I thought that was going to be the end of my journey.<\/p>\n
“I think that perseverance inside me just kept me going. I really changed so many things and I found a wonderful partner, so thank you.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n