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India’s Bopanna makes history as oldest world no. 1 – ARN News Centre
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Rohan Bopanna’s worn out knees have not stopped him from climbing the world doubles rankings and becoming the oldest player to reach number one.
The 43-year-old Indian scripted history after making the Australian Open semi-finals with Matthew Ebden on Wednesday.
Bopanna and Australian Ebden beat Argentine pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-4 7-6(5) to ensure that the evergreen Indian would top the rankings once they are updated following the year’s first Grand Slam on Monday.
Ebden will become world number two having played three more tournaments than Bopanna during the ranking period.
It marked the latest milestone for Bopanna, who became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he won the Indian Wells doubles crown with Ebden last year and followed it up by becoming the oldest to win a match at the ATP Finals.
Bopanna, who hails from the south Indian state of Karnataka and often jokes that the coffee from his plantation in Coorg was behind his success, said that focusing on his recovery and optimising training had contributed to his longevity.
“The real focus was on that, not to really go out there and run on the treadmill or lift weights,” Bopanna told reporters. “That wasn’t something I wanted to do when I hired my physio from Belgium last year.
“I told her specifically what I needed, because I have no cartilage in my knees. It’s completely worn out.
“I said, no matter what happens, even if the days we’re practising and I’m not 100% fit, that’s fine. I want to feel 100% fit during these matches. That’s the commitment I’d made when I decided to play with Matt.”
Bopanna and Ebden were without partners at the end of 2022 but have gelled well since joining forces, winning titles in Doha and Indian Wells and reaching the finals at Rotterdam, Madrid, the US Open, Shanghai and Paris.
They also reached the title clash in Adelaide this year, falling to Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram – the latter holding the previous record for the oldest doubles number one at 38 when he got there two years ago.
Bopanna said his mental strength had played a big role in ensuring his partnership with Ebden succeeded.
“I think that’s something I’ve always had when I take up a challenge,” said Bopanna.
“I try to persevere in it and bring in that will power. I think that’s what has helped us as a team a lot.”
The duo next face Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac.
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Tributes have poured in after the son of former Chelsea star Eddie Newton was found dead alongside his friend following a hike in the UAE, where temperatures soared to 50C.
Cassius Newton, 34, and his friend Aran Martinson, 33, were found by rescuers on July 18 after setting out on a hike in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region.
The pair, from Dorset and Essex respectively, both lived and worked in the UAE. Their bodies were discovered between 3km and 4km from their vehicle.
According to a report, Chelmsford area coroner Michelle Brown said their provisional causes of death included cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Cassius, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea midfielder and coach Eddie Newton, who spent more than a decade with the club.
His wife was in the UK when she became concerned after Cassius failed to contact her following the hike and reported him missing.
The two men had been living at a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Tributes after desert tragedy
Tributes poured in after the deaths.
Aran’s wife described him as “incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious”, saying he had recently begun a new chapter in his career and was excited about the future.
Blackfield & Langley Football Club paid tribute to their former player, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of former player Cassius Newton; our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
National League club Eastleigh, where Cassius had previously played, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.
Chelsea connection
Cassius’ father Eddie Newton played for Chelsea from 1990 to 2001 and famously scored in the club’s 1997 FA Cup final victory.
The former midfielder also represented Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.
After retiring as a player, Newton moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at MK Dons and West Brom before returning to Chelsea.
He later served as assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez.
(With inputs from BBC, The Sun)
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