The ageless Rohan Bopanna once again rewrote the tennis history books at the 2025 Madrid Masters. Partnering with American sensation Ben Shelton, the veteran Indian star secured a hard-fought opening-round victory that cemented his status as the sport’s ultimate “iron man.”
The Match: A Gritty Comeback
Facing the 8th-seeded American duo of Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow, Bopanna and Shelton had to dig deep. After dropping a razor-thin first set, the Indo-American pair rallied to secure a 6-7(5), 7-5, [10-7] victory.
- Clutch Play: Trailing late in the second set, the pair found a decisive break at 5-5 to force the match tiebreak.
- The Tiebreak: In the high-pressure 10-point decider, Bopanna’s legendary poise at the net combined with Shelton’s explosive serve proved too much for the seeds.
Record-Breaking Longevity
With this win, Bopanna officially extended his own record as the oldest man to win an ATP Masters 1000 match.
Age is Just a Number: At 45 years and 1 month old, Bopanna became the first player in ATP history to win at this elite level after turning 45. He further distanced himself from the previous record held by Daniel Nestor (44 years, 8 months).
What makes the record even more poetic is that Nestor’s old mark was set back in 2017—on these very same Madrid courts—in a match where he actually defeated Bopanna. Eight years later, Bopanna has not only outlasted the field but has claimed the record as his own.
The “Generational” Duo
The victory also highlighted one of the most unique pairings on tour. With Shelton being just 22 years old, the 23-year age gap between the partners is one of the largest ever seen in a winning Masters 1000 duo.
Photos from the match –
(Credits – Maria Angeles Chico Orte)
