Rohan Bopanna is presently in Melbourne where he made his third Grand Slam final in men’s doubles in the 2024 Australian Open.

Just two days after Rohan Bopanna confirmed that he will become the new world number one at the ATP doubles. Making him the oldest player to win the crown and the first in his career, in the middle of a journey to exciting at the Australian Open 2024, the famous Indian tennis player was awarded the Padma Shri as the list of Padma Awards was released on Thursday. Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. Padma Shri is awarded for exceptional service in any field.

Bopanna is currently in Melbourne where he has reached his third Grand Slam final in men’s doubles. The other two being at the US Open, in 2010 and 2023. Australian Matthew Ebden, aged 43, surpassed his previous best run at the Australian Open. He had reached the third round six times, with the last one

Bopanna, playing in her 17th consecutive Australian Open, will meet fellow Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the final. The Indian will look to add to his mixed doubles title at the 2017 French Open next Saturday and if he succeeds, Bopanna will become the oldest Grand Slam champion.

Bopanna was among eight strong shortlists from the sports field for the Padma Awards, including squash player Joshna Chinappa. The 37-year-old has won several medals in the Asian Games and is a two-time CWG medalist. He also won four medals at the world championships in doubles, including gold in 2022.

Here is the full list of the Padma Shri award winners from the field of sports.

Harbinder Singh (Hockey, Coach)

Purnima Mahato (Archery, former athlete)

Satendra Singh Lohia (Swimming, athlete)

Gaurav Khanna (Badminton, Coach)

Uday Vishwanath Deshpande (Mallakhamba, Coach)

Joshna Chinappa (Squash, athlete)

Rohan Machanda Bopanna (Tennis, athlete)

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