Oldest World No. 1 Novak Djokovic welcomed Rohan Bopanna to an elite club, acknowledging the enormity of Rohan Bopanna’s achievement. The 44-year-old Indian became the oldest man to reach the top spot in ATP men’s doubles charts.
“We are old but gold,” Novak Djokovic said with his good friend, Rohan Bopanna alongside him in Monte Carlo as the duo relished being the oldest No. 1s in their respective categories. Djokovic seems to be thrilled that a 44-year-old is able to dominate doubles tennis at such a stage of his career. The Serb took to social media to welcome the Indian veteran to the No. 1 club with a post in his inimitable style.
“Age is just a number. For us, that number is 1,” Djokovic wrote in a post on his social media, sharing a photo of him playing a forehand and Bopanna acing one backhand return. The Serb seems to have been inspired by Bopanna’s feat of becoming the oldest numero uno in men’s doubles tennis in the twilight of his career.
Age is just a number. For us, that number is 1. pic.twitter.com/fCVbiTCbxg
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) April 10, 2024
Djokovic’s words are a tribute to the hard work that the 44-year-old Indian player has put in over the years. Earlier in 2024, Bopanna ended his long wait for a men’s doubles Grand Slam title when he and his Australian partner, Matthew Ebden, won the Australian Open crown. Bopanna has not slowed down since, as he went on to become the oldest man to win a Masters 1000 title, breaking his own record from last year, after he and Ebden lifted the Miami Open doubles crown.
During a chat with the ATP in the lead-up to the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters tournament, Djokovic and Bopanna heaped praise on each other with the Serb lauding the Indian star’s improved work ethic and the belief to be the best in the world.
“I see him in the gym for countless hours and also more hours with the physio, a bit more than before but it is amazing to share the tour with you for so many years,” Djokovic had said.
“What an incredible moment to be the oldest number in singles and doubles. It is great for Serbian and Indian tennis,” he added.