The hallowed grass courts of the All England Club witnessed a mix of elation and disappointment for India’s top tennis stars in the men’s doubles opening round at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on Wednesday. While Yuki Bhambri triumphed alongside his American partner Robert Galloway, seasoned veteran Rohan Bopanna faced an early exit.
Bhambri and Galloway Secure Resilient Victory
The Indo-American duo of Yuki Bhambri and Robert Galloway, seeded an impressive 16th, showcased their mettle in a gripping first-round encounter. They overcame the challenging pair of Romain Arneodo from Monaco and Manuel Guinard of France with a hard-fought 7-6(8), 6-4 victory. This intense battle on the Wimbledon courts spanned one hour and 49 minutes, demanding peak performance and strategic play from both sides.
The opening set proved to be a nail-biting affair, with neither team yielding an inch. It ultimately cascaded into a tense tie-break where Bhambri and Galloway demonstrated remarkable composure to edge out their European opponents. Carrying that momentum into the second set, they capitalised on a crucial break in the seventh game, allowing them to confidently serve out the match and secure their passage to the next stage.
Bopanna’s Wimbledon Dream Dashed in Opening Round
In stark contrast to Bhambri’s success, the journey for Indian doubles stalwart Rohan Bopanna concluded prematurely. Partnering with Belgium’s Sander Gille, Bopanna faced a formidable challenge against the German third seeds, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. Despite Bopanna’s recent triumphs, including a memorable victory at the 2024 French Open men’s doubles title, the Indo-Belgian pair struggled to find their rhythm against the precision and power of their opponents.
The match saw Krawietz and Puetz assert dominance from the outset, securing a 6-3, 6-4 straight-sets win. This swift defeat meant a disappointing exit in the opening round for Bopanna and Gille, marking an unexpected end to their Wimbledon campaign.
Bollipalli’s Dramatic Comeback Electrifies Crowd
Adding another layer of drama to India’s Wimbledon narrative, Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, teamed with Colombian Nicolás Barrientos, delivered a truly unforgettable performance. Their first-round clash against Belgian David Goffin and Frenchman Alexandre Muller was nothing short of an epic struggle, pushing both pairs to their absolute limits.
After dropping the first set 4-6, Bollipalli and Barrientos clawed their way back, securing the second set 6-4. The deciding third set was a marathon, culminating in a thrilling tie-break. In a display of sheer resilience and unwavering spirit, the Indo-Colombian pair not only fought back from a set down but remarkably saved four match points, ultimately prevailing with a breathtaking 7-6(11) victory. This display of mental toughness captivated everyone following the action.
Anticipation Builds for Next Rounds and Remaining Indian Hope
Looking ahead, Yuki Bhambri and Robert Galloway will now prepare to face the winners of the intriguing match between the Dutch combination of Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer, and the American-Portuguese pairing of Marcos Giron and Nuno Borges. The path forward for Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli and Nicolás Barrientos promises another stern test, as they are slated to meet either the formidable sixth-seeded British pair of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski or the wildcard entrants, Joshua Paris and Charles Broom.
Adding to the Indian presence at this prestigious Grand Slam, N Sriram Balaji and his Mexican partner Miguel Reyes-Varela are also set to begin their men’s doubles journey. They will take on the American duo of Aleksandar Kovacevic and Learner Tien in their eagerly anticipated opening-round contest, keeping the hopes of Indian tennis enthusiasts alive on the storied courts of Wimbledon.
