Australian tennis player Matt Ebden says he has achieved a lifelong dream after replacing 43-year-old partner Rohan Bopanna at No. 1 in the doubles rankings for the first time.
The pair will swap top spots when the rankings are updated on Monday, although the Australian Open champion has not scored since his heroics at Melbourne Park last month.
The 36-year-old West Australian said he was “extremely happy” to have reached the pinnacle of his sport and was delighted to share the moment with his family in Perth on Tuesday morning.
“You have a dream life goal for your entire career,” he said. “It’s been an incredible blessing and a miracle to have achieved this through several majors over the past few years.”
Ebden’s rise to the top was secured by excluding last year’s results from the 12-month ATP Rankings window and thanks to his and Bopanna’s lead over their rivals.
The pair have been level on ranking points since the Australian Open, but the Indian veteran has taken the top spot in the countdown as the Aussie has played more matches during the ranking window.
Reaching the pinnacle of men’s tennis is the reward for Ebdon’s decision three years ago to focus on the doubles circuit. In 2018, his singles ranking reached a career-high 39th.
“One of my big goals is obviously to win a Grand Slam and become No. 1 in the world,” he said. “I really want to go all out and put everything into practice, and even at this point in my career and life, I just want to do it if it’s going to be something big, something great.
“Sacrificing time and traveling, even traveling with my family and my kids, and my young son – it’s not easy, it’s a lot. But it definitely makes all the sacrifices worth it.”
The Australian, who won Wimbledon with compatriot Max Purcell in 2022, is a favorite on the tour and was elected to the ATP Player Advisory Council this year.
Ebden also paid tribute to his long list of Australian tag team champions who came before him, including Todd Woodbridge, Mark Woodford, Peter McNamara and Tony Roach who served as coaches and mentors. “It’s incredibly humbling and a little surreal to be able to get up there and share that responsibility with them,” Ebden said.
Bopanna received a hero’s reception in India after returning home after lifting the Australian Open men’s doubles trophy, and was personally congratulated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi two weeks ago.
Today I had the honor to meet with the distinguished Prime Minister Modi. This recognition is very humbling and I’m honored to be able to showcase the racket that made me number one in the world. 1. AO Grand Slam Champion. Your grace inspires and encourages me. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/R01Ae00RrR
— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) February 2, 2024
Ebden, who was born in South Africa and moved to Perth as a teenager, singled out the two for their achievements. “To be able to get there with the oldest person in history at 43 years old is pretty remarkable,” he said.
Ebden’s wife, Kim, posted a screenshot of the live standings on Instagram on Tuesday. “Proud of Matt Ebden and us as a family and team,” she said. “It took years of hard work and sacrifice to get here and make this dream come true.”
Ebden said he was proud of himself, as well as his family and team. “It really does take a village, it really takes a community.”
