India’s Rohan Bopanna clinched  the Australian Open 2024 men’s doubles title, pairing with Matthew Ebden. He became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam and bettered the record of Jean-Julien Rojer who, at age of 40, had lifted the French Open men’s doubles trophy in 2022 He becomes the oldest number one in men’s doubles history by winning the title in Melbourne. Its Bopanna’s first in men’s doubles after 60 previous Grand Slams — a record for most attempts before winning. Bopanna also became only the third Indian, after the pair of Leander Paes Mahesh Bhupathi, and  Sania Mirza in the women’s category to win a men’s doubles Grand Slam title. For Bopanna it is his second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open mixed doubles.

LEARNING FROM HOME/ WITHOUT CLASSES/ BASICS

In tennis, the term Grand Slam refers to the accomplishment of winning all four major championships championships of Australia, France, Britain (Wimbledon), and the United States in the same calendar season.

The four tournaments are being played on different surfaces. Plexi Cushion in Australia, The French Open is played on Clay, Grass in Wimbledon, and Deco Turf in the US Open.

The French Open is played on clay, which owes its red colour to the crushed brick which forms the upper layer of the surface. There are three layers in all – one of limestone, one of clinker, and one of stone – as well as drainage pipes. Clay is the slowest of surfaces. Along with the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, the French Open is one of the four historic tennis tournaments which make up the legendary Grand Slam.

The Grand Slam itinerary consists of the Australian Open in mid-January, the French Open in May/June, Wimbledon in June/July, and the US Open in August/September.