Are you a tennis lover? If yes, you might have come across the title "Grand Slam" while watching your favourite players. A grand slam is given to the tennis players who have accomplished all major tournaments in a calendar year, namely the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. However, many renowned figures in our country have won this title and taken the country's name and fame to the next level. In today's blog, I have shared a list of Indian Grand Slam Winners. Read the blog to know more.
What Are the Four Grand Slam Tournaments?
Here are the four grand slam tournaments: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
The Australian Open
The Australian Open, founded in 1909, is the first grand slam of the year, held between the end of January and the beginning of February. The tennis is held annually at the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The tournament features women's singles, men's and women's mixed doubles, juniors championships, wheelchair legends, and exhibition events. The surfaces used at the Australian Open were grass courts until 1987, and later, three types of hardcourt surfaces were used: the green-coloured Rebound Ace up to 2007, blue Plexicushion from 2008 to 2019, and blue GreenSet from the year 2020.
The French Open
The French Open was founded in 1891, around some 133 years ago. The French Open is also known as Roland-Garros, another grand slam tournament held for over two weeks, beginning in late May each year. The game is held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. The French Open was named after the French aviator Roland Garros. The grass surfaces were used earlier but later shifted to the clay court, regarded as the most demanding surface in tennis. The clay surface provides a slower pace with a higher bounce rate.
The Wimbledon
Wimbledon was founded in 1877, around 147 years ago. It is regarded as the world's oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament. It is among the four major grand slam tournaments after the Australian and French Open. The game is still conducted on the grass courts for over two weeks between late June and early July.
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The US Open
The US Open Tournament was founded in 1881, around 143 years ago, and is held in Queens, New York. It is regarded as the final grand slam tournament of the year, held last Monday of August and continues for two weeks, coinciding with the US Labour Day. It is one of the oldest tennis championships in which men's singles and doubles were first played in August 1881. It comprises five primary championships: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, mixed doubles, senior, junior, and wheelchair players.
Indian Grand Slam Winners List
Leander Paes
One of the country's most renowned and accomplished tennis players, Leander Paes, has won the title and was declared the Grand Slam Winner. He represented India by winning the bronze medal in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games. He is known for his doubles and mixed doubles in tennis, where he implemented his quick reflexes, volleying skills, strategic play, etc. His partnership with Mahesh Bhupati was the turning point for Indian Tennis. Paes won the mixed doubles title in 1999 and was considered the No.1 doubles player in the world. Overall, he won around 18 grand slam titles.
Mahesh Bhupathi
Mahesh Bhupathi is another legend on our list and one of the Indian Grand Slam Winners. He is known for his extraordinary performance in the tennis doubles. He is the first Indian grand slam winner to secure the French Open mixed doubles in 1997. His partnership with Leander Paes brought global recognition to Indian Tennis. He is known for his powerful serve and volley game and his strategic prowess, and he is one of the finest doubles players in tennis history. He has won 12 grand slam titles.
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza is the only Indian woman ever to win the Grand Slam tennis title. She was the leading singles tennis player but preferred playing the doubles due to her injuries. She became the world's No.1 women's double ranking. She is known for her powerful forehand and aggressive playing style, which made the tennis game famous in India, especially for women. She was regarded as the icon and inspiration for women's tennis in India. She has won six grand slam titles, women's and mixed doubles.
Rohan Bopanna
Rohan Bopanna is the first Indian tennis player known for his wins and defeats. He is a prominent Indian tennis player specialising in doubles. He is known for his powerful serve and strong net play. He has been a consistent presence on the ATP doubles circuit. It was not his achievements but his dedication that made him a respected figure in Indian tennis, inspiring the upcoming generation of players. He and Gabriela Dabrowski secured their first Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at the 2017 French Open. Rohan Bopanna won two grand slam titles in tennis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indian Grand Slam Winners
Who Was the First Indian to Win a Grand Slam Title?
Mahesh Bhupathi was the first Indian to win the French Open mixed doubles in 1997.
Who Was the First Female Indian Grand Slam Winner?
Sania Mirza is the first woman Indian grand slam winner to achieve this feat in the mixed doubles held at the Australian Open in 2009.
In Which Grand Slam Tournaments Have the Indian Players Won?
Indian players have won titles in all four grand slam tournaments, namely, the Australian Open, the French Open, the Wimbledon, and the US Open, in categories including doubles and mixed doubles.
The growing success rate and the number of grand slam winners indicate how tennis is growing in India. Their achievements make the country feel proud and aim to achieve more.
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