Mahesh Bhupathi (born 7 June 1974) is a former Indian professional tennis player, one of the most successful doubles players of his era. In 1997 he became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title, taking the French Open mixed doubles. He went on to win 12 Grand Slam titles in all and to complete a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles. With Leander Paes he formed the famous “Indian Express” partnership, which reached all four Grand Slam men’s doubles finals in 1999 and took him to world number one in doubles.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Mahesh Shrinivas Bhupathi |
| Born | 7 June 1974, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Age | 52 |
| Sport | Tennis (doubles specialist) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Education | University of Mississippi, US |
| Grand Slam titles | 12 (4 men’s doubles, 8 mixed doubles) |
| Highest ranking | World No. 1 in doubles (April 1999) |
| Spouse | Lara Dutta (m. 2011) |
| Children | 1 (Saira) |
Early Life and Education
Bhupathi was born in Madras and grew up in Bangalore. His father, C. G. Krishna Bhupathi, was a tennis player and coach who trained him from childhood. He went to the United States to play college tennis at the University of Mississippi, where he was one of the top collegiate doubles players, before turning professional.
Career
Bhupathi won the 1997 French Open mixed doubles with Japan’s Rika Hiraki and became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title.
Bhupathi’s partnership with Leander Paes was one of the most celebrated in tennis. In 1999 they reached the finals of all four Grand Slam men’s doubles events, winning the French Open and Wimbledon, and Bhupathi became world number one in doubles. They won the French Open again in 2001. They also won gold medals for India at the Asian Games and many Davis Cup ties, though the partnership was marked by well-publicised splits and reunions.
With other partners Bhupathi won eight Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in all. He completed a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles by winning the 2006 Australian Open with Martina Hingis, and he won his last major, the 2012 French Open mixed doubles, with Sania Mirza. He added a fourth men’s doubles major at the 2002 US Open, partnering Max Mirnyi.
After Playing
In 2014 Bhupathi founded the International Premier Tennis League, a team competition in Asia. He was appointed India’s Davis Cup captain in 2016 and runs the sports management company Globosport.
Personal Life
Bhupathi married the actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta in 2011. Their daughter, Saira, was born in 2012.
Awards and Honours
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Mahesh Bhupathi born?
Mahesh Bhupathi was born on 7 June 1974 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India and is 52 years old.
Featured image: Mahesh Bhupathi at the 2009 US Open. Photo by Robbie Mendelson, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
