Australian Open 2024: Rohan Bopanna And Three Oldest Players To Win Grand Slam Titles

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Rohan Bopanna on Saturday became the oldest player to lift the Grand Slam title. In alliance with the local player Matthew Ebden, the Indian star won the Australian Open 2024 men's doubles after a commendable victory over the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6, 7-5.

Bopanna was the one to hit an overhead volley with a deft touch to seal the championship point for the second-seeded pair. At 43 years, 10 months and 23 days, the Indian player entered the record books as the oldest player in any category to win a Grand Slam event. MyKhel takes a look at the three oldest players to win a Grand Slam.

1. Jean-Julien Roger - 40 years, 9 months

Rohan Bopanna broke the record of Jean-Julien Roger to become the oldest player to lift a Grand Slam title. The Dutchman won the French Open men's doubles in 2022 at the age of 40 years and 270 days. He paired with El Salvador's Marcelo Arevola to pull off a spectacular victory over Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in the final. Apart from that, Jean-Julien has also won 2015 Wimbledon men's doubles, 2017 US Open men's doubles and 2014 French Open mixed doubles.

2. Mike Bryan - 40 years, 4 months

Mike Bryan won his record 18th Grand Slam title in the form of US Open 2018 men's doubles along with compatriot Jack Sock. The duo pummeled Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Marcelo Melo of Brazil, 6-3, 6-1 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. At the age of 40 years and 130 days, Mike became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam at that moment.

Mike partnered with his twin brother Bob in men's doubles with the pair fondly known as Bryan brothers. The duo announced retirement in August 2020, finishing as the most successful pair with 16 grand slam titles, 119 tour-level titles and claimed the No.1 spot for 438 weeks.

3. Leander Paes - 40 years, 2 months

Leander Paes won the US Open 2013 with Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek to become the oldest player in India and World to clinch a Grand Slam trophy. His world was surpassed by Mike Bryan in 2018 and Bopanna's recent achievement meant Paes won't have the claim at the India level also.

However, Paes has the most Grand Slam titles by an Indian player with eight men's doubles and 10 mixed doubles. The Kolkata-born athlete won his last major event at French Open in 2016 when he forged partnership with Martina Hingis of Switzerland in the mixed doubles.