Rohan Bopanna's Grand Slam win at the Australian Open, which came just after he became No. 1 in the world in the ATP World Doubles Rankings, sparked a conversation about how age doesn't matter when it comes to achieving dreams. People across the country, from Prime Minister Modi to corporate executive Anand Mahindra, took to social media to praise him for becoming the oldest Grand Slam champion at 43 years old.
Just this month, a tennis star was named after the Padma Shri. His first Grand Slam victory was the mixed doubles title at Roland Garros in 2017, and he was a gold medalist at the 2023 Asian Games.
Entrepreneurial, Bopanna runs a tennis academy, is a certified barista and runs a coffee line (Rohan Bopanna Master Blend) sourced from his farm in Coorg in collaboration with Maverick & Farmer. He is also an investor in ventures such as sports tech platform Game Theory and Good Flippin' Burgers.
Experts predict that the recent accolade will boost the Bopanna brand and increase interest from advertisers.
He has partnered with brands like ASICS and Aryan Pumps. The tennis star has been featured in campaigns for various other brands including Airbnb, Renault India, Enerzal, Lodha Group, Indian Oil and DreamSetGo.
global impact
“What the 43-year-old has achieved on the world stage is remarkable. It will enhance his image and strengthen the Bopanna brand,” said angel investor and business strategist Lloyd Mathias. Thankfully, there is space for athletes in India today beyond cricket, which will open up new opportunities, especially from a mature brand perspective. ”
“Rohan's accomplishments cannot be underestimated. He has not only reignited renewed interest in an exclusive and seemingly expensive sport in this country, but he has also inspired young Indians to succeed despite all adversity. “He has instilled aspirations in young players while embodying the spirit of Bopanna. Now is his time and we believe it is worthwhile for brands to be associated with him,” said Meraki, the sports marketing company that represents Bopanna. – Namrata Parekh, co-founder and director of Sports and Entertainment.
Another branding expert noted that the recent results are likely to immediately boost the tennis star's personal brand and open up opportunities, especially in the nutrition, fitness and wellness fields.
Lately, the brand has increasingly partnered with veteran stars. “They bring a lot of symbolic brand value and help brands cut through the clutter. They also have a big impact on older, wealthier target audiences who have considerable economic clout. “In this age of social media, younger consumers are also familiar with the achievements of these veteran stars,” Mathias explained.
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