Bopanna and Zhang earned $142,000 for their quarterfinal finish in the mixed doubles event. The duo’s journey came to an end on Tuesday, January 21, when they faced a tough wildcard Australian pairing of Olivia Gadecki and John Peers. The match, played at the iconic Kia Arena, lasted one hour and eight minutes, with the final score reading 2-6, 6-4, 11-9.
Had they advanced to the semifinals, Bopanna and Zhang would have earned $250,000, while the winners and runners-up of the mixed doubles event stand to pocket $810,000 and $440,000, respectively. For players exiting in earlier rounds, the prize distribution was $40,000 for the first round, $58,000 for the second, and $82,000 for the third.
A Look Back at Bopanna’s Australian Open Journey
Bopanna, renowned for his prowess in doubles, had a mixed campaign this year compared to his past performances.
A History of Success
In 2022, Bopanna played the mixed doubles final alongside Sania Mirza, finishing as the runner-up. Fast forward to 2024, he made history by becoming the oldest Grand Slam champion after clinching the men’s doubles title with Matthew Ebden. However, the duo split after the ATP Finals 2024, leading to Bopanna teaming up with Nicolas Barrientos for this year’s men’s doubles.
A Tough Outing in 2025
In men’s doubles, Bopanna and Barrientos fell in the first round to Spain’s Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar, unable to find their rhythm in straight sets.
The mixed doubles campaign with Shuai Zhang started on a stronger note. The pair secured a solid opening win against Ivan Dodig and Kristina Mladenovic. In the second round, luck favored them as their opponents, Hugo Nys and Taylor Townsend, withdrew, granting them a walkover.
However, their quarterfinal clash with Gadecki and Peers turned out to be a dramatic contest. After a strong first-set win, Bopanna and Zhang faltered in the second. The match culminated in a nail-biting third-set tie-breaker, where the Indian-Chinese duo held a 9-8 lead but conceded three consecutive points to lose the decider.
What Lies Ahead for Rohan Bopanna?
At 42, Rohan Bopanna remains one of the most celebrated doubles players on the circuit. While the Australian Open 2025 didn’t yield a title for him, his resilience and determination continue to inspire fans worldwide.
As the season unfolds, it will be intriguing to see how Bopanna adapts to his new partnerships and whether he can add another Grand Slam title to his illustrious career.
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