Rohan Bopanna at a gym. (Courtesy: Rohan Bopanna/X)

India”s veteran tennis player Rohan Bopanna, who became the oldest player in men”s doubles to reach men”s doubles World No.1, was conferred by the Indian government with the Padma Shri Award on the 75th Republic Day on Friday. Alongside Bopanna, squash legend Joshna Chinnappa, was among the seven sports personalities to receive the prestigious award.

The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India, after the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan. Padma Shri is awarded to personalities of different fields for their extraordinary contribution.

Bopanna achieved the milestone recently along with his Australian partner Matthew Ebden when they propelled into the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2024. He will officially rise to the World No.1 spot when the ranking is updated next week. The India-Australia pair defeated the Argentine duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-4, 7-6.

Chinappa, 37, has been the flagbearer for women”s squash in India. She has won multiple medals for India in the Asian Games and has also clinched two Commonwealth Games medals and four World Championships doubles medal, including a gold in 2022.

Five more Indian sports personalities were conferred with the prestigious award, including former hockey player Harbinder Singh, Mallakhmab practitioner Uday Deshpande, archer Purima Mahtao, para badminton coach Gaurav Khanna and para swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia.

“My heartfelt gratitude to all my elders, well-wishers and my beloved athletes who have always inspired me to move undeterred against all odds,” Khanna said.

List of sports personalities to receive Padma Shri Award

Harbinder Singh (Hockey, Coach)
Purnima Mahato (Archery, former athlete)
Satendra Singh Lohia (Swimming, athlete)
Gaurav Khanna (Badminton, Coach)
Uday Vishwanath Deshpande (Mallakhamba, Coach)
Joshna Chinappa (Squash, athlete)
Rohan Machanda Bopanna (Tennis, athlete)