Rohan Bopanna meets PM Narendra Modi after Australian Open victory, shares photos

Ace tennis player Rohan Bopanna, who won the men’s doubles Australian Open title last week, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Rohan took to social media platform X to share pictures of his meeting with the Prime Minister. Bopanna gifted the racquet which helped him become the world's top-ranked men's doubles player and secured him the Australian Open grand slam title.

“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,” Bopanna said on X.

“Your (PM Modi’s) grace has left me inspired & encouraged,” he said.

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. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/R01Ae00RrR

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) February 2, 2024

Bopanna also became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam title after his victory in the final. He beat the record of Jean-Julien Rojer, who lifted the French Open men's doubles trophy in 2022 with Marcelo Arevola at 40. It was also Bopanna and Ebden's maiden title together. Bopanna's previous Grand Slam victory came in mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada at the 2017 French Open.

Only the iconic Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won Major titles for India in men’s tennis while trailblazer Sania Mirza did it in women’s tennis.

The India Story| Oldest-ever winner: Bopanna's historic Australian Open triumph