'This Acknowledgement is Very Humbling': Rohan Bopanna Meets PM Narendra Modi After AO Heroics

Recently crowned Australian Open men’s doubles champion Rohan Bopanna, who also clinched the top spot in the ATP men’s doubles rankings for the first time in his career, visited the honourable Prime Minister of the Nation, Shri Narendra Modi following his historic triumph down under.

The 43-year-old shared a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with pictures from the meet with the caption, “I had the privilege to meet our honourable Prime Minister Modi ji today. This acknowledgement is very humbling & it was my honour to present the very racket that led me to become World no. 1 and the AO grand slam champion. Your grace has left me inspired & encouraged.”

Bopanna and doubles teammate Matthew Ebden scripted history as they went on to claim the top prize at the year’s first grand slam event of the year in Australia with a 7-6, 7-5 straight sets win over Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the summit clash of the men’s double event.

It was Bopanna’s first major title in his long career, which came the day after he sealed the top ranking in his pet event.

Bopanna and Ebden opened their title run with a win over James Duckworth and Marc Polmans as the Indo-Australian pair claimed a 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in the first round before notching up a 6-2, 6-4 thrashing of John Millman and Edward Winter in the second round.

Bopanna and Ebden got the better of Wesly Koolhof and Nikola Mektic in the third round of the event with a 7-6, 7-6 win before their 6-4, 7-6 victory over Maximo Gonzales and Andreas Molteni to reach the semifinal of the tournament.

They progressed to the final fo the Australian Open with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 triumph over Zhang Zhinzhen and Tomas Machac in the semifinal, before ultimately clinching the title in the summit clash at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

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