When Rohan Bopanna retired from the international tennis circuit in November 2025, Indian tennis enthusiasts pondered if India would see another Grand Slam champion soon. Bopanna, who clinched the Men’s Doubles title at the Australian Open 2024 and the Mixed Doubles crown at the 2017 French Open, became the oldest major winner in the Open Era at 43 years, 10 months, and 24 days. His retirement marked the end of a glorious era in Indian tennis that began with Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and continued with Bopanna and Sania Mirza.
Bopanna, despite acknowledging the challenge of maintaining the legacy, expressed confidence in India’s potential to produce more international tennis success. He highlighted promising talents like Yuki Bambri, Sriram Balaji, Vikram, and Arjun, emphasizing their capabilities to excel on the global stage. Bopanna emphasized the importance of establishing a robust and enduring structure to nurture future tennis stars in India.
The transition from the era of Paes and Bhupathi to a new generation poses a significant challenge for Indian tennis. Bopanna, who continues to be actively involved in the sport as a player and mentor, is dedicated to fostering young talent through the Rohan Bopanna Foundation. With a focus on training and guiding future tennis stars, Bopanna remains committed to contributing to the sport he is passionate about.
