Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden want to end the myth to collaborate in Turin | ATP Tour

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Bopanna and Ebden seek a fairy tale ending to collaborate in Turin

The sixth seed marks a two-year partnership, which ends after the Nitto ATP Finals

November 12, 2024

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden's two-year partnership will come to a head again at the Nitto ATP Finals this week, and they are set to finish with a flourish, despite dropping their opening match.

The Indian-Australian duo knows what it takes to win major titles, and 2024 was no different. Bopanna and Ebden ran off the blocks at the start of the season which saw them both reach No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings after winning the Australian Open trophy.

“I think it would be good to end the year with the title in particular [with] the way we started this year,” Bopanna told ATPtour.com. “It's been a journey of ups and downs. We had a good first three months, then we had a few challenges in the way we worked.”

Battling a mid-season slump, Bopanna and Ebden sparked deep runs at major events, including the semifinals at Roland Garros, to secure their spot at the Nitto ATP Finals and put them in contention for the top finish. Bopanna, who became the oldest player to reach world No. 1 at the age of 43 in January, has won twice at the end of the season.

This year, the Indian is looking for a hat-trick which will be Ebden's first trophy at this prestigious event.

“I think we've had two good years together, and to end on a high note, I think it will be good,” added Bopanna. “I think one of the advantages is that you have a second chance here. Yes, you try and win every game, but if that doesn't happen, you still have a good chance to come in and do well. It's the only kind competition we have where we get a second chance.”

Bopanna and Ebden will be hoping to capitalize on a unique format, having fallen to the Italian duo, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in their opening match. On Wednesday, they sought to secure their first win in the Mike Bryan Group, but faced a tough task against top seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic.

“Last year, we obviously had a successful season,” Ebden recalled. “We did Turin, we talked at the end of last year. But this year, we decided to continue, and continue for another year.

“It was great that we did that, because we got our results, especially in January, winning the Australian Open, going on to win Miami, and being the number 1 team. That was one of our big goals when we started. Now we have achieved almost all those goals, we said 'Let's try to come together to get one big title [in Turin] and finish high.”

Having reached the pinnacle of the sport together and won incredible titles, Bopanna and Ebden will begin their new chapters in the 2025 season.

“[I’m] we are looking forward to finding a good partner and looking forward to continue playing in 2025,” added Bopanna, who will turn 45 in April.