Matthew Ebden has won his first Australian Open men’s doubles title, winning the final alongside Rohan Bopanna in straight sets.
Ebden and 43-year-old Bopanna took down Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(7/0), 7-5, with Ebden serving out the final game and Bopanna smashing home the winning point.
It was the first men’s doubles title for Indian veteran Bopanna, who linked up with Ebden last year and helped him to a Wimbledon semifinal and the US Open final.
“What an amazing tournament. Thanks to my partner Rohan; he is 43 years old, it is his first men’s grand slam doubles final,” Ebden said.
“Age truly really is not even a number for this guy. He is young at heart. He is a champion and a warrior and he has fought hard by my side this whole last year.
“It has been such a dream come true to win here in Australia in front of our home fans so thank you so much.”
Bopanna joked he was at “level 43” rather than aged 43.
“Obviously this could not have been possible if I do not have a fantastic Aussie partner by my side so thank you to Matt,” he said.
“We have had a fantastic season last year and for me to win my first men’s doubles grand slam here, thank you.”
Ebden had previously lifted a trophy at his home slam, winning the mixed title with Jarmila Gajdošová back in 2013.
He also reached the mixed final with Sam Stosur in 2021, and was a runner-up in the men’s alongside Max Purcell in 2022.
Ebden won Wimbledon with Purcell later that year, while Bopanna’s only other major title was a mixed doubles win at the 2017 French Open with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski.
By winning the men’s title it means an Australian has lifted the trophy for the third straight time, after Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2022, and Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler last year.