Mahesh Bhupathi is a retired professional tennis player. In 1997, he became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam tournament. During his playing career, Bhupathi was one of the most dominant doubles players in the sport’s history. He won four men’s doubles and eight mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.... Read more
Mahesh Bhupathi is a retired professional tennis player. In 1997, he became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam tournament. During his playing career, Bhupathi was one of the most dominant doubles players in the sport’s history. He won four men’s doubles and eight mixed doubles Grand Slam titles. Known for his enormous serve, Roger Federer calls Bhupathi one of the best players of all time.
Bhupati started playing tennis at a young age, encouraged by his father, who also coached him. In 1995, he began his professional career following an outstanding two-year stint at the University of Mississippi. He was India’s national champion in 1994 and 1995, as well as a member of the Indian Davis Cup team from 1995-2011. In 1997, he became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam when he took the mixed doubles in the French Open partnering Japan’s Rika Hiraki.
Mahesh Bhupathi began a fruitful doubles partnership with fellow countryman, Leander Paes in 1994. In both 1997 and 1998 the duo won six ATP doubles titles out of the eight tournament finals they reached during each year. In 1999, Bhupati and Paes reached the finals in all four Grand Slams, winning the French Open and Wimbledon, but losing in the Australian and US Opens. In 2001, the duo won the French Open for the third time.
Bhupati was even more successful in in his mixed doubles Grand Slam career. He won five mixed doubles Grand Slam titles between 1999-2006 with five different partners, among them France’s Mary Pierce, Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova and Switzerland’s Martina Hingis.
In 2001, Mahesh Bhupathi received one of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri.
Bhupathi is the founder of International Premier League Tennis. In December 2016, Bhupathi was appointed India’s next non-playing Davis Cup Captain, he took over from Anand Amritraj in February 2017.