India’s performance at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships saw mixed results in the men’s doubles category on Wednesday, as Yuki Bhambri advanced to the second round with his partner, while veteran Rohan Bopanna suffered a surprising first-round defeat, ending his campaign early at the All England Club.
Yuki Bhambri Keeps Indian Hopes Alive
Indian doubles specialist Yuki Bhambri, pairing with French partner Enzo Couacaud, delivered a confident performance in their opening match. The Indo-French duo defeated the experienced German pair Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies with a scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in a match lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes on Court 5.
Key Highlights:
- Strong Service Games: Bhambri and Couacaud won 82% of points on first serve, minimising break opportunities for their opponents.
- Effective Net Play: Their aggressive poaching strategy disrupted the Germans’ rhythm.
- Decisive Break: The pair broke at 4-3 in the final set and held their nerve to seal victory.
Speaking after the match, Bhambri said:
“It’s always special to win at Wimbledon. Enzo and I communicated well today and adapted our returns against a solid doubles team. We’ll keep working on our chemistry for the next round.”
Rohan Bopanna’s Early Exit Shocks Fans
In a disappointing turn for Indian tennis, Rohan Bopanna, partnering with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, was knocked out in the first round by unseeded Spanish duo Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez, who triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) in an intense match that lasted nearly 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Match Summary:
- First Set: Bopanna-Ebden struggled with returns, losing 6-4 after a single service break.
- Second Set: They bounced back with strong baseline rallies and effective net interceptions to win 6-3.
- Final Set: The decider went into a tense tiebreak where unforced errors by Bopanna proved costly, giving Granollers-Martinez the edge.
Bopanna Reflects on Defeat
Post-match, the 44-year-old Indian doubles legend admitted:
“It’s disappointing to go out this early. We played well in patches but couldn’t maintain consistency in key moments. Wimbledon has always been special for me, and I hope to return stronger next year.”
This loss dims India’s immediate hopes for a deep men’s doubles run, as Bopanna was one of the favourites following his solid form on grass in recent months.
Impact on India’s Wimbledon Campaign
With Bopanna out, the focus now shifts to:
- Yuki Bhambri and Enzo Couacaud, who will face the 8th seeded pairing of Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski in the second round, a match expected to be a significant test of their synergy and court coverage.
- Other Indian pairings, including Sumit Nagal in singles and Sania Mirza’s mixed doubles coaching contributions, as Indian representation in major draws continues to shrink with each round.
Fan and Expert Reactions
Indian tennis fans expressed mixed emotions on social media:
- On Bopanna’s loss: “Heartbreaking to see Rohan exit. He’s been a pillar of Indian doubles tennis for years.”
- On Bhambri’s win: “Great fight by Yuki. Hoping he goes deeper and gets valuable ranking points.”
Former Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj noted:
“Bhambri’s volleys and positioning were exceptional today. Bopanna’s defeat is unfortunate, but at his age, his consistency and fitness remain remarkable.”
India’s Overall Results at Wimbledon 2025 So Far
| Player(s) | Category | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuki Bhambri/Enzo Couacaud | Men’s Doubles | Second Round | Advanced after defeating Krawietz/Mies |
| Rohan Bopanna/Matthew Ebden | Men’s Doubles | First Round | Lost to Granollers/Martinez |
Looking Ahead
The upcoming second-round match for Bhambri and Couacaud will be crucial, as they face a seeded pair with strong grass-court records. Victory would propel Bhambri into his career-best men’s doubles run at Wimbledon, providing a significant boost to his ATP doubles ranking and India’s presence at this year’s Championships.
Final Takeaway
As Wimbledon 2025 progresses into the business end of early rounds, Indian tennis supporters will pin their hopes on Yuki Bhambri’s performance, aiming to keep the tricolour flying high at the hallowed grass courts of the All England Club.
Disclaimer: Match results and quotes are based on live Wimbledon coverage and ATP/WTA interviews as of July 2025. For updated schedules and results, follow the official Wimbledon website and the All India Tennis Association updates.
