Bopanna is a worthy Grand Slam champion: Jeevan

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, who won the Chennai Open earlier this year with Rohan Bopanna, said he was happy that his partner finally landed a Grand Slam crown and it could not have been won by a "nicer guy".

Bopanna and his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski came out with a superb show to beat their German-Colombian opponents Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Robert Farah in the final to clinch their maiden French Open mixed doubles title in Paris on Thursday.

Bopanna became only the fourth Indian to win a Grand Slam crown after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza.

Indians have so far accounted for 20 mixed doubles titles at Grand Slam events with two victories achieved by Mirza partnering Bhupathi, who won India's first ever Grand Slam title.

"I am extremely happy for Rohan. He is a worthy Grand Slam champion and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," Nedunchezhiyan told IANS from London where he is taking part in the Surbiton Trophy.

"I am just happy for Rohan. It was great getting to know him over the past few years and it's a worthy reward for all his work. He is very deserving," Nedunchezhiyan added.

Bopanna entered the final of a Grand Slam tournament after a seven-year hiatus.

--IANS

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