Four years ago, Rohan Bopanna had almost thought quitting professional tennis. A Davis Cup veteran, mixed doubles Grand Slam champion, and former World’s third-ranked doubles player, Bopanna’s career was on the edge as a series of physical issues had wiped out the cartilage in both his knees as he entered his forties.

But thanks to a revitalising fitness regimen and unlikely perfect partnership – rejuvenated him to become a history-maker at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The 43-year-old from Coorg won his maiden men’s doubles Grand Slam title alongside Australian partner Matthew Ebden, with a 7-6 (0), 7-5 win over the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. As he clinched the title with a simple putaway overhead volley, Bopanna fell to the ground before indulging in a roaring chest bump, now the duo’s signature, a reaction out of place with the Indian’s usually calm and mild-mannered persona.

At 43, he is now the oldest men’s player to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era. Earlier this week, he had also ensured that he will become the oldest World number one in tennis history. Ebden will be behind him — the same number of points but having played more tournaments.