Rohan Bopanna Honoured By KSLTA At Bengaluru Felicitation Event

The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association held a felicitation event in Bengaluru to honour Rohan Bopanna's long career and influence on Indian tennis. Organised with Serving Aces on 28 December 2025 at the KSLTA Lawns, the ceremony recognised Bopanna's achievements on the ATP Tour and highlighted how the doubles specialist has shaped the sport in India over more than two decades.

The gathering brought together leading tennis personalities, officials, family members and friends who shared memories from different stages of Bopanna's journey. Speakers underlined how Bopanna's career evolved from early struggles on tour to Grand Slam success, and how the veteran remained among the world's top doubles players well into the later stages of a demanding

professional career.

The evening programme focused on Bopanna's standout accomplishments, including the mixed doubles title at the 2017 French Open and the men's doubles crown at the 2024 Australian Open. In 2024, Bopanna also became the oldest world No. 1 in men's doubles, a landmark that underlined sustained fitness, discipline and consistency at the top level of the game.

Across the ATP Tour, Bopanna has collected more than 25 doubles titles and reached several Grand Slam finals, often facing elite opposition. Those results placed Bopanna among India's most successful tennis professionals of any era, especially in doubles. Officials at the KSLTA function noted that such longevity is rare in modern tennis and reflects careful preparation and tactical clarity.

Much attention at the KSLTA felicitation was given to Bopanna's service in the Davis Cup and at the Olympic Games, where Bopanna strengthened India's presence at international events. Bopanna had been a regular member of India's Davis Cup squads for more than ten years, taking part in both home and away ties against higher-ranked nations and adapting to varied surfaces.

One of Bopanna's most discussed performances came at the 2010 Davis Cup World Group Playoff against Brazil in Chennai. India trailed 0-2 after the first day, placing the team under heavy pressure. Bopanna then defeated Ricardo Mello in a decisive singles match, helping India complete a 3-2 comeback and retain a place in the World Group, a tie still remembered by Indian tennis followers.

The KSLTA ceremony also retraced Bopanna's path from Coorg to the world stage. Born on 4 March 1980 in Coorg, Karnataka, Bopanna started tennis at a young age before moving to Bengaluru for structured training. During the early years on the international circuit, Bopanna often travelled with limited backing, relying on persistence and self-belief while competing first as a singles player.

Over time, Bopanna shifted focus fully to doubles, a move that proved decisive for career progress. The transition allowed Bopanna to use a strong serve, aggressive returns and quick reflexes at the net. Combined with tactical awareness, those skills helped Bopanna succeed against top pairs and build a reputation as a dependable partner across multiple seasons and partnerships on tour.

Organisers also highlighted Bopanna's work away from competition. Through the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Development Foundation, Bopanna has supported grassroots tennis projects, with attention on early training, structured coaching and spotting young talent across India. These programmes aim to give more juniors access to proper courts, equipment and guidance, which many players lack in smaller centres.

Sunil Yajaman, Hon. Joint-Secretary of KSLTA, noted during the event that Bopanna's example has helped shape the ambitions of emerging Indian players. According to Yajaman, his professionalism, leadership and longevity set higher standards for doubles specialists from India who now aim to build sustainable careers on the world tour, rather than viewing success as limited to singles alone.

The felicitation ended with informal interactions between Bopanna, family members, former partners, coaches and officials, reflecting the respect Bopanna commands across generations of players. The Bengaluru event not only recognised major titles and records but also acknowledged a continuing legacy that supports Indian tennis, both through performance and through long-term development initiatives.