By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday February 27, 2024
Australia’s Matthew Ebden has carved out a strong profession on the doubles circuit since he determined to focus his tennis on the self-discipline. Now he’s the world’s No.1 participant – and the fifth man from Australia to carry the honour.
This week Ebden, 36, joins Todd Woodbridge, Mark Woodforde, John Fitzgerald and Paul McNamee as considered one of 5 Australian gamers to carry the ATP’s No.1 doubles rating.
Dream achieved, Ebden climbs to World No. 1⭐️
“I do not even know if I thought of attending to World No. 1 then. It’s a little bit of a pipe dream, that form of factor, even successful Slams.” @pepperstonefx | #ATPRankings | #associate pic.twitter.com/4BbWgTydvH
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 26, 2024
The ten-time ATP Tour titlist and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, kicked off his 2024 season by successful the Australian Open title with Rohanna Bopanna, who turned the oldest No.1 (at 43) in doubles historical past shortly thereafter.
“I believe it is really deserved for Matt to turn out to be World No. 1,” Bopanna advised ATPTour.com. “Each of us reaching that might not have occurred with out one another’s assist.”
Former singles World No.39 made the choice to focus solely on doubles after the pandemic, and his resolution has reaped rewards. He received the 2022 Wimbledon males’s doubles title with Max Purcell and entered the Prime 10 in July of 2023.
“Behind my thoughts, I form of thought on the finish of my profession, I may need one other little sub-career of 5 years or extra the place I may actually have a crack at simply doubles, and actually give attention to it, and try to do some nice issues and try to win some Slams,” Ebden advised the ATP. “I do not even know if I thought of attending to World No. 1 then. It’s a little bit of a pipe dream, that form of factor, even successful Slams.”