“Old but gold”: Djokovic and Bopanna believe that hard work and experience are the keys of success

Experience is important to Rohan Bopanna, but Serbian legend Novak Djokovic believes that unwavering devotion to the game is essential for success on the difficult ATP Tour. The two oldest world champions in both singles and doubles had a lighthearted conversation at the Monte Carlo Masters.

In the most recent singles rankings table, 36-year-old Djokovic overtook Roger Federer to become the oldest number one in the world, while Bopanna, at 44, was already the oldest player to occupy the top spot in the world in the doubles division.

As they got ready for the big event, the ATP Tour welcomed the world’s top players in for a little chat.

“We can learn so many amazing things from tennis. In an ATP footage that was uploaded, Bopanna said to Djokovic, “Experience wins and that is where I got it.”

The Serbian retorted that experience is not the only factor.

“Experience, along with a daily dedication to the game, is what I would say.

It is wonderful to have shared the tour with you for so many years, even if I watch him (Bopanna) in the gym for endless hours and also spend a little more time with the physiotherapist than previously (laughs).

Being the oldest number in both singles and doubles is such an amazing feeling. The record 24-time major champion, Novak Djokovic, said, “It is fantastic for Serbian and Indian tennis.”

Since participating in the now-defunct International Tennis Premier League (ITPL), which took place from 2014 to 2016, Djokovic has not competed in India.

“We haven’t gone to India in a long time, so perhaps we can play there and accomplish something there soon. It’s a magnificent, vast land.

He addressed Bopanna, who had won the Miami Masters title the previous month, saying, “To have tennis at a high level of popularity in India is extremely important for our sport and you are contributing to that along with Sania Mirza, (Mahesh) Bhupathi and (Leander) Paes paved the way.”

Djokovic said, “We are old but gold,” before bidding the other person “Namaste.”