‘Age is no bar…our spirit, hard work define capabilities’: PM Modi congratulates Bopanna for Australian Open doubles victory

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur were among leaders who congratulated tennis star Rohan Bopanna on winning the Australia Open doubles title and creating a record for becoming the oldest player to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era of tennis.

The 43-year-old Bopanna and Matthew Ebden overwhelmed Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 to clinch the Australian Open men’s doubles crown at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said “phenomenally talented” Bopanna kept showing that “age is no bar.”
PM Modi praised the efforts of No.1-ranked men’s doubles player and said his journey is a reminder that “our spirit, hard work and perseverance that define our capabilities”.

“Time and again, the phenomenally talented @rohanbopanna shows age is no bar! Congratulations to him on his historic Australian Open win. His remarkable journey is a beautiful reminder that it is always our spirit, hard work and perseverance that define our capabilities. Best wishes for his future endeavours,” PM Moid said in a post on X.

Kharge said India is proud of Bopanna’s achievements.

“It is heartening to see our @rohanbopanna win his first Grand Slam title in the #AO2024 along with Matthew Ebden. Many Congratulations to Rohan for advancing to become the World No. 1 in the Men’s Doubles category. At 43, he is also the oldest one to do so. India is proud of his achievements and his incredible performance! We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours,” he said on X.

Anurag Thakur said Bopanna’s feat will inspire sportspersons across ages.

“Champions: Played Like One & Won it like One Huge applause to @rohanbopanna and @mattebden for clinching their 1st Grand Slam as a duo- #AO2024 Men’s Doubles Title! Rohan Bopanna, defying odds at winning his maiden #AusOpen title & his first-ever Men’s Doubles Grand Slam; Emerging as the oldest man to win a Grand Slam & attaining the pinnacle as the Oldest Men’s Doubles World No. 1 A feat that will inspire our sportspersons across ages! Congratulations once again!” Thakur posted on X.

Bopanna, who made his 17th Australian Open appearance in this edition, comfortably wrapped up his maiden Grand Slam men’s doubles title victory. Aged 43 years 329 days, he also became the oldest Grand Slam champion. (ANI)