'My perseverance kept me going': Rohan Bopanna reacts after winning Australian Open men's doubles title

The Australian Open was won by India's history-making Rohan Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden in Melbourne on Saturday, making him the oldest number one in men's doubles history.

At the Rod Laver Arena, the second seeds defeated the unseeded Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (7/0), 7-5. It was Bopanna's first men's doubles triumph and their first as a team, setting a record for the most attempts before a victory. Bopanna became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title with the triumph.

"A couple of years ago I said in a video message, I am going to call it a day because I was not winning matches. I went five months without winning a match. I thought that was the end of my journey but my perseverance, and something inside me kept me going," Bopanna said after his triumph as quoted by PTI.

As soon as the ATP rankings are published on Monday, Bopanna will undoubtedly take the top spot. He'll be the oldest player at the top of the rankings, standing at 43.

Bopanna acknowledged the contribution of his Australian partner Ebden and his American coach Scott Davidoff in his success story.

"It was not possible if I had not this fantastic Aussie partner by my side, so thanks to Matty. We had a fantastic season last year and for me to win my first men's Grand Slam men's doubles Grand Slam here at the Asia-Pacific is special.

Maiden Men's doubles Grand Slam for Rohan Bopanna; wins Australian Open with Matthew Ebden