Cricket is the most followed game in India. Only a few sports apart from cricket are watched frequently. Amongst these few is a sport called tennis. One of the most popular sports in the world, the sport has found some stars in India. Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupati, Leander Paes are a few prominent names, who've brought laurels for the nation while playing tennis at the grandest level. But if one has to choose one person who brought glory to nation, as well as to the beautiful game of tennis, and left the world in admiration, it would certainly be Rohan Bopanna.

The world looked up to him in awe as he lifted the Australian Open at the age of 43. At an age, where most people retire from the game, he found his way to success, as he went on to become the oldest grand slam winner of all time. Also in the same week before this laurel, he became the oldest ranked number 1 payer, when he took the world by storm by claiming the spot for the very first time at that age. And while speaking about his age during the presentation ceremony of Australian open, he proudly said "I am not of age 43, I am at level 43".

Those words being said from the champion, reflected at what he has achieved, and what it means to him to reach at that level. He had to struggle all his way to scale the heights of his career, which he successfully did. Starting his journey for his beloved game at a mere age of 11, he did show early promise. At the age of 20, he rose up the ranks of domestic circuit to make his mark in the international circuit. He started his journey at a time, when Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati were already doing good at the level. And hence, Bopannas's achievements were mostly overlooked or overshadowed due to his compatriot's legacy.

In spite of him being looked as a second fiddle, he continued to do his hard yards. Partnering with Pakistan star Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, he started to achieve success. And thereafter he continued to do so going ahead either with Qureshi or others on different occasions. He honed his skills and showed exponential curve in his professional journey. Upping the ante, he was crowned as champions of French Open 2017 in mixed doubles category along with Gabriela Dowroski. It was his maiden grand slam, and he became the 4th Indian to win a grand slam.

The grand slam win did significantly help increase his popularity in the cricket crazy country, but he was still far from being termed as legend. The presence of his seniors Bhupati and Paes meant that the limelight was on them, and yet Bopanna was somehow still not looked as the primary face for men's tennis in India. In spite of having a total of whopping 25 ATP tour titles, and being the oldest winner of 2023 Indian Wells Masters, he was still away from being called a legend for most of the Indians. And then, 2024 turned to be a game changer for him.

The last week of January 2024 was the most successful week of his life. Firstly, he was awarded the prestigious Padmashri Award by Government of India. A couple of days later, he achieved career best rank 2, which got upgraded to Rank 1 a day later, thereby making him the oldest players in history to be ranked 1 for the first time. And a couple of days later, he won the Australian Open doubles title along with his partner Ebden. Winning his first major men's doubles title at the age of 43, he went on to the record books by becoming the oldest ever Grand Slam winner in the Open Era of tennis.

His victory was loved and adored by the entire tennis world, who were shocked as well as happily astonished to see someone achieve this inhuman feat of winning a grand slam at the age of 43. And as the world rejoiced his achievement, his countrymen looked up to him as a national hero, and he was celebrated like the cricketing superstars. Him winning the Grand Slam was equally important for the game, as it was for Indian tennis, as India is a great market for the game of tennis, which was still unexplored. And now with the achievement of Bopanna, the tennis world hopes to see a significant rise in awareness of the game in a country that has over a billion people. And there exactly lies the success of Rohan Bopanna.

His story will inspire many to take the sport, but most importantly it will motivate every individual who thinks that age is a factor in their success. If in a game like tennis requiring a lot of endurance, agility and strength, a 43 year old can achieve the most prestigious position, then in any field any individual can make his mark irrespective of how old they are. In true sense, Bopanna defied all the odds of age, making a statement that if you have the passion, dedication and the ability to work hard, then age is just a number for you. And going ahead, his story will continue to inspire millions of people to strive for better. This age-defying champion and national hero, turns 44 today, and we wish him a very happy birthday, thereby hoping to see his make the country proud with his achievements.