Australian tennis player Matt Ebden recently spoke out against age discrimination in the sport. He and 43-year-old Rohan Bopanna won the men’s doubles title at Melbourne Park on Saturday, with Ebden, 36, helping Bopanna secure his first grand-slam victory in men’s doubles. They defeated the Italian team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in a thrilling final on Rod Laver Arena, winning 7-6(0), 7-5.
Bopanna is the oldest winner of a men’s doubles grand slam in the Open era, and will be the oldest No 1 when rankings are updated in the coming week. Ebden said there was a “lesson” in people writing off those of advancing years, and Bopanna had been subject to discrimination in tennis.
Men often make comments about a tennis player being “too old” or “too old-fashioned.” This is something that Bopanna has heard a lot in the past year and a half. However, he questions why age should even be a factor when considering someone’s tennis skills. He believes that younger players on the circuit generally show respect towards older players, but he also believes that older players have a lot to offer and can provide valuable wisdom to the younger generation.
The Australian, who has recently claimed victories at both Wimbledon and Melbourne Park in men’s doubles, expressed his belief that age-based discrimination exists in society. He remarked, “We tend to judge older individuals and think they are not capable or should not have certain opportunities. But why should that be the case? We are all human beings and should embrace equality in all forms.”
At the beginning of last year, the duo formed a partnership and went on to reach the finals of the US Open, marking a successful season that propelled them up in the rankings. They currently have the same number of ranking points, but Bopanna will take the top spot as Ebden has participated in three additional tournaments during the calculation period.
In 2017, Bopanna won the French Open mixed doubles title. However, he believes that his recent win at Melbourne Park surpasses that achievement. He expressed, “This is undoubtedly the highlight of my career. My mind is overflowing with thoughts, it feels like it could burst at any moment.” He added, “I think this is a common reaction to winning. I’ve never experienced this before, so it’s a great feeling.”
Ebden stated that this win is a standout moment, but it may be difficult to surpass his 2022 Wimbledon win with Max Purcell. He acknowledged that Wimbledon holds a special significance for tennis players, but winning at home in Australia with the support of family, friends, and fans is just as meaningful or even better.
Ignore the newsletter advertisement.
after newsletter promotion
He also expressed his admiration for the fact that two players from the region emerged victorious in the tournament known as the grand slam of the Asia-Pacific.
Source: theguardian.com
