Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna reflected on his long career with gratitude following his 501st tour-level win as he stormed into the third round of the Australian Open.
The men’s doubles pair of Bopanna and Matthew Ebden notched up a 6-2, 6-4 straight sets win over the Australian pairing of John Millman and Edward Winter in their second-round clash in Melbourne.
Bopanna brought up his 500-match tour win landmark with a win over another Australian pairing of James Duckworth and Marc Polmans in the men’s doubles opening-round triumph.
The Bopanna-Ebden duo claimed a 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 win over the home hopes as the Indian scaled the landmark.
“When you get on the circuit you think you may win a match and then another,” the 43-year-old said.
“Slowly it gets better and better, 100, then 200. 500 is absolutely satisfying, especially when you look back and think of the number of sacrifices that you have made,” Bopanna continued.
The Bangalore-born player credited his success to his coach Scott Davidoff for helping him out and mentoring him.
“Starting as a serve and volleyer and today I’m someone who serves and stays back, credit to my coach Scott Davidoff, who has been a great mentor,” Bopanna said.
Bopanna, who was also slated to play the mixed doubles alongside Timea Babos at the year’s first grand slam event in Melbourne, had to pull out of the event following an injury to his partner.
Bopanna and Ebden are scheduled to take on the challenge of Wesley Koolhof of The Netherlands and Nikola Mektic of Croatia in the third round of the men’s doubles event on Monday.
The 43-year-old, who has 24-tour level titles to his name is in search of his maiden grand slam men’s doubles title at the first grand slam event of the year.
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