In a thrilling final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, India’s Yuki Bhambri and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin defied the odds to capture the ATP 500 Dubai doubles title, marking a career milestone for both players.
The duo staged an extraordinary comeback against the No. 2 seeds, Britain’s Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri , winning 3-6, 7-6(12), 10-8 in a match filled with breathtaking rallies, high drama, and nerves of steel.
A Maiden ATP 500 Title for Yuki Bhambri
For Yuki Bhambri, this title holds special significance it is his first-ever ATP 500 trophy, making him only the fourth Indian male player to win an ATP doubles title at this level. The 31-year-old from New Delhi has battled through injuries and a transition from singles to doubles, and this triumph reinforces his growing stature on the ATP doubles circuit.
Bhambri, once a junior World No. 1 and Australian Open Junior champion, has been on a steady rise in doubles. This victory propels him to a career-high ranking of No. 40 in the ATP Live Doubles Rankings, a remarkable feat considering his relatively recent shift to focusing exclusively on doubles.
The Road to the Title: Beating the Best
The journey to the title was nothing short of spectacular for Bhambri and Popyrin. En route to the final, they defeated some of the biggest names in the doubles circuit, including the World No. 1 and No. 3 ranked pairs. This underdog duo kept finding ways to win, showcasing grit, teamwork, and clutch play under pressure.
The final was a rollercoaster of emotions. After losing the first set 3-6, Bhambri and Popyrin found themselves in deep trouble in the second set tiebreaker, staring down four championship points.
However, they held their nerve and saved all four match points in a marathon 14-12 tiebreaker, before edging out their opponents in a tense match tiebreak.
A Career Milestone for Alexei Popyrin
For Alexei Popyrin, this was an equally significant triumph. The Australian, more known for his singles prowess, captured his first-ever ATP Tour doubles title. Despite a tough start to his singles season, teaming up with Bhambri proved to be the perfect antidote, as they upset higher-ranked teams on their way to the trophy. Popyrin’s ranking skyrocketed 715 places to World No. 149, a massive leap that highlights his newfound success in doubles.
First Time Since 2015: Two Indian ATP Champions in a Week
Bhambri’s victory in Dubai came in the same week that Rithvik Bollipalli, another rising Indian doubles specialist, clinched his first ATP Tour title in Santiago alongside Colombia’s Barrientos. The last time two Indian players won ATP doubles titles in the same week was in 2015, when Rohan Bopanna (Sydney) and Leander Paes (Auckland) lifted trophies.
This historic moment underscores the resurgence of Indian mens doubles tennis, following the legendary successes of Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, and Rohan Bopanna over the past two decades.
Indian Champions in Dubai: Bhambri Joins an Elite List
With this win, Yuki Bhambri joins an elite list of Indian male players who have won ATP titles in Dubai:
✅ Mahesh Bhupathi (5x champion)
✅ Rohan Bopanna (3x champion)
✅ Leander Paes (2x champion)
✅ Yuki Bhambri (1x champion, 2025)
The last Indian to triumph in Dubai was Bopanna in 2015, making Bhambri’s victory a long-awaited return for Indian tennis in this prestigious tournament.
The Doubles Dream of India & Bhambri’s Growth
A crucial factor in Bhambri’s resurgence has been the Doubles Dream of India project, a unique initiative funded by KPIT and Mr. Kishore Patil. This project supports Indian players transitioning into doubles, ensuring they receive world-class training, coaching, and travel support.
Fitness trainer Abhimanu Singh, who has been traveling with Bhambri, played a key role in preparing him for the physical demands of high-level doubles tennis. With this structured backing, Bhambri has been able to focus entirely on his doubles career, and the results are starting to show.
Whats Next for Bhambri & Indian Doubles Tennis?
With this breakthrough title, Bhambri is now knocking on the doors of the ATP Top 30 doubles rankings, and if he maintains his form, he could be a strong contender for Grand Slam and Masters 1000 titles.
For Indian tennis fans, this win is a reason for optimism. With Bhambri, Bollipalli, and other young talents making strides in doubles, the country could soon see another golden era in mens doubles, reminiscent of the Paes-Bhupathi-Bopanna years.
A Fairytale Run & An Underdog Story to Remember
Few would have predicted this pairing to go all the way in Dubai, but Bhambri and Popyrin proved that doubles tennis is as much about chemistry and resilience as it is about rankings and reputation. Saving four match points, taking down the World No. 1, No. 3, and No. 2 ranked teams, and lifting their first ATP 500 title together this was a story of determination, clutch performances, and unshakable belief.
For Yuki Bhambri and Alexei Popyrin, Dubai 2025 will always be special. And for Indian tennis, this victory could be the start of something even bigger.
