Rajeev Ram
Rajeev Ram is an American professional tennis player renowned for his accomplishments in doubles competitions, where he has secured six Grand Slam titles, attained the world No. 1 ranking, and earned two Olympic silver medals.[1][2][3] Born on March 18, 1984, in Denver, Colorado, to parents of Indian descent, Raghav and Sushma Ram, he grew up in Carmel, Indiana, and began playing tennis at age four.[3][4] As a junior, Ram captured nine national titles in singles and doubles, and during his high school career at Carmel High School, he earned All-State honors and won the state singles championship.[4] He briefly attended the University of Illinois, where in one semester he contributed to the team's undefeated 32-0 season and NCAA team title in 2003, while also claiming the NCAA doubles championship alongside Brian Wilson.[5][6] Turning professional in 2004, Ram initially competed primarily in singles, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 56 and winning two ATP titles at the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport in 2009 and 2015.[7] Shifting his focus to doubles around 2017, he has amassed 32 ATP doubles titles, including five at the Masters 1000 level, and accumulated over $10 million in prize money across both disciplines.[1] His Grand Slam victories comprise four men's doubles crowns— the 2020 Australian Open and three consecutive US Opens from 2021 to 2023, all partnered with Joe Salisbury—along with two mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 with Barbora Krejčíková.[2][8][7] On the international stage, Ram has represented the United States at three Olympics, earning silver medals in mixed doubles with Venus Williams at the 2016 Rio Games and in men's doubles with Austin Krajicek at the 2024 Paris Games.[3][9][10] He first reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking on October 3, 2022, and has held it multiple times, solidifying his status as one of the premier doubles specialists of his era.[1] In addition to his playing career, Ram serves as a coach for the University of California, Berkeley men's tennis team since 2020, balancing professional commitments with mentorship.[8] As of November 2025, at age 41, he remains an active competitor on the ATP Tour, including winning the Cincinnati Masters doubles title with Nikola Mektić and reaching 500 career doubles wins, continuing to pursue further accolades.[11][12][13]Early life and education
Early life
Rajeev Ram was born on March 18, 1984, in Denver, Colorado, to Indian immigrant parents Raghav Ram, a biochemist originally from Bangalore, and Sushma Ram, from Delhi.[14][15] As the only child in the family, Ram grew up in a household that valued academics and discipline, with his father working in biotechnology and instilling a strong emphasis on education alongside any pursuit of sports.[16][17] The family maintained close cultural ties to their Indian heritage, including extended relatives in Bangalore and northern India, though Ram was raised primarily in American environments.[18][19] In 1996, when Ram was 12 years old, the family relocated to Carmel, Indiana, following his father's transfer to Dow AgroSciences after the company's acquisition of his previous employer.[20][17] Prior to this move, the Rams had lived in northern California and Madison, Wisconsin, due to Raghav's career opportunities in the biotech sector.[21][17] As a child, Ram displayed interest in various sports, including soccer and table tennis, but gravitated toward tennis around age 11 after initially playing recreationally with his father starting at age 4.[17][5] He was largely self-taught in the early years, relying on personal practice and observation, as the family did not hire a formal coach until the move to Carmel provided access to local facilities like the Carmel Racquet Club.[20][17] His father's guidance played a key role in fostering a balanced mindset, prioritizing academic performance—Ram maintained strong grades throughout his youth—while encouraging dedication to tennis as a potential path forward.[17][22]Junior career
Rajeev Ram began receiving formal tennis coaching at age 12 in Carmel, Indiana, at the Carmel Racquet Club under local instructors, marking the start of his structured development in the sport after initially playing recreationally from age 4.[21][5] Ram's junior career featured strong performances on the USTA junior circuit, where he earned a top-50 national ranking starting in 1997 and climbed to the top 5 from 2000 to 2002 in boys' 16s and 18s divisions.[23] He secured nine national junior titles in singles and doubles, highlighted by victories at the USTA National Claycourts, Hardcourts, and Easter Bowl in both formats, along with the National Indoors doubles title.[4][23] On the international stage, Ram competed on the ITF Junior Circuit, achieving a career-high singles ranking of No. 37 on January 1, 2002, and won titles at the T-Bar-M International Junior Championships, International Grass Courts, and two Chanda Rubin American Junior Tennis Classic events, gaining early exposure through travels and training camps.[24][23] At Carmel High School, Ram played two seasons of varsity tennis, capturing the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) boys' singles state title in 2000 as a sophomore after losing only four matches that year and earning All-State honors.[25][26][4]College career
Rajeev Ram joined the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis team for the 2003 spring season under head coach Craig Tiley, after delaying his enrollment to compete as an amateur on the professional circuit.[5][27][23] In his only collegiate season, Ram earned All-American honors in both singles and doubles, compiling a 24-3 singles record and a 28-5 doubles record partnering with Brian Wilson, which ranked No. 6 nationally.[28][29][30] He and Wilson captured the NCAA doubles championship, defeating UCLA's Lassi Ketola and Chris Surapol 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the final.[30][5] Ram also went 6-0 in NCAA postseason play across singles and doubles.[27] Ram played a key role in the Illini's undefeated 32-0 season, securing their first NCAA team title with a 4-3 victory over Vanderbilt in the championship match.[5][27] His contributions earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten first-team selection, and ITA Midwest Region Rookie of the Year honors.[30] During his time on campus, Ram met his future wife, Zainab Saqib.[31] Following the 2003 season, he departed the university after one semester to turn professional in 2004 at age 19.[1][5]Personal life
Family
Rajeev Ram is the only child of Dr. Raghav Ram and Sushma Ram.[3] His father, a scientist, introduced him to tennis at age four and played a pivotal role in his early development, while the family maintained a close-knit structure influenced by Indian cultural values emphasizing family bonds.[17][22] Ram met his wife, Zainab Saqib, during their time at the University of Illinois, where they began dating in the early 2000s.[31] The couple married in 2016 in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends in Ram's hometown.[31][32] Zainab, a Pakistani-American, works remotely, allowing her flexibility to support Ram's professional travels.[33] The couple has one son.[31] Dr. Raghav Ram was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018 and passed away in April 2019 at age 68.[34][35] As an only child, Ram described the loss as profoundly shaking, intensifying his reflections on family priorities amid the demands of his tennis career during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.[22][34] The family honored his memory through dedications, including a court at the Carmel Racquet Club named for Ram and his parents in 2021.[36]Residences and philanthropy
Rajeev Ram primarily resides in Carmel, Indiana, where he maintains close ties to his family home in the Midwest, reflecting his deep-rooted connections to the region where he grew up and began his tennis career.[20] He also owns a secondary residence in northern California, specifically in Walnut Creek, allowing him to divide his time between the two locations for training and family life.[37][21] In philanthropy, Ram founded the Rajeev Ram Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the positive impact of tennis on youth in Indiana by providing grants to high school teams, college athletes, and high-performance junior players.[38] The foundation promotes tennis as a tool for health and social benefits, supporting programs that make the sport accessible to underprivileged kids across his home state.[39] Through this initiative, Ram has also partnered with the USTA Midwest Tennis and Education Foundation to offer the EntouRaj for Kids Junior Tennis Grant, which funds opportunities for young players to develop their skills and participate in competitive events.[40] Ram actively engages in community efforts by hosting free tennis clinics in Carmel, Indiana, often in collaboration with his foundation to inspire local youth and provide hands-on coaching.[41] He maintains strong ties to his alma mater, the University of Illinois, where he contributes to alumni initiatives that celebrate and promote the school's tennis legacy.[27] Additionally, Ram advocates for junior tennis development in the United States, emphasizing grassroots programs to grow the sport at the community level and support emerging talent nationwide.[42] In September 2025, Carmel High School dedicated its center court as the Rajeev Ram Court in his honor.[7]Professional career
2000–2006: ATP debut and early challenges
Ram turned professional in 2004 after a stellar freshman season at the University of Illinois, where he helped the Fighting Illini win the NCAA team championship and claimed the doubles title with partner Brian Wilson.[27] [43] Although he had competed in ATP events as an amateur, Ram's official professional debut came in the qualifying rounds of the 2002 Estoril Open, where he fell to Alexandru Voinea.[44] He earned his first ATP qualifying win later that year at the Sopot Open, defeating Juan Ignacio Chela.[44] Ram's entry into the professional ranks involved extensive play on the ITF Futures and ATP Challenger circuits, where he initially prioritized singles but frequently partnered with fellow Americans in doubles, including K.J. Hippensteel and Brian Baker. In 2004, he captured his first professional doubles title at the Mexico F12 ITF Futures event alongside Hippensteel. Ram made his ATP main draw debut at the 2004 Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, marking his transition to higher-level competition, though he exited in the opening round.[45] Early in his career, Ram faced significant challenges, including the physical toll of singles play on his 6-foot-4 frame, which prompted a gradual shift toward doubles to preserve longevity. His singles ranking peaked at No. 256 in 2005, reflecting steady but modest progress amid a crowded field and the demands of building ATP points through lower-tier events.[46] Injuries, including shoulder issues that sidelined him during key periods in 2005, further hampered consistency, forcing him to balance recovery with participation in challengers and futures.[47] By 2006, Ram reached the singles final at the Dallas Challenger, losing to Amer Delić in a three-set battle, and broke into the ATP doubles top 100 for the first time, signaling his growing prowess in the discipline.[48] These years laid the foundation for Ram's pro career, highlighting resilience amid initial struggles to establish tour-level footing.2007–2008: First tour-level success
In 2007, Rajeev Ram secured his first ATP doubles title at the Chennai Open, partnering with Michael Kohlmann to defeat the top seeds in the final. This success marked a turning point in his career, contributing to a career-high singles ranking of No. 125 and a doubles ranking of No. 69 by year's end.[46] In singles, Ram experienced a breakthrough by advancing to the quarterfinals at the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, where he upset higher-ranked opponents to reach his deepest run in an ATP event at that point. Building on this momentum in 2008, Ram elevated his singles performance, reaching the semifinals at the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport after defeating seeded players in straight sets during the early rounds. He replicated this level of success at the Los Angeles Open, navigating a challenging draw on hard courts to secure another semifinal appearance and demonstrate improved consistency against top-100 competition. Notable upsets included victories over top-50 players like Robby Ginepri, showcasing Ram's aggressive baseline play and serving prowess in key matches.[49] In doubles, Ram and Kohlmann repeated their Chennai Open triumph, defending the title with a dominant performance that highlighted their strong net play and synergy. They added another ATP crown at the Tokyo Japan Open, defeating a strong field in the final to solidify their partnership as one of the tour's reliable teams. Ram also made his Grand Slam debut in doubles at the 2008 Australian Open, partnering Rohan Bopanna and advancing to the first round before a competitive exit.[50] This period of steady collaboration with Kohlmann established Ram's reputation for dependable doubles results, laying the foundation for future successes while he balanced emerging singles promise.[1]2009: Breakthrough with first ATP titles
In 2009, Rajeev Ram achieved a career breakthrough by securing his maiden ATP singles title at the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, on grass courts. As a lucky loser ranked No. 181, Ram remarkably won seven consecutive matches, including two in qualifying and five in the main draw, culminating in a 6–7(3–7), 7–5, 6–3 victory over third-seeded American Sam Querrey in the final. This triumph marked him as the first lucky loser to win the Newport singles title and highlighted his adaptability on grass. Concurrently, Ram partnered with Australia's Jordan Kerr to claim the doubles crown at the same event, defeating Rohan Bopanna and Jarkko Nieminen 7–6(7–2), 7–6(7–5) in the final, completing a rare singles and doubles sweep.[51][52] Ram's doubles success extended beyond Newport, as he captured two additional ATP titles that year. In January, teaming with fellow American Eric Butorac, he won the Chennai Open on outdoor hard courts, overcoming Swiss duo Jean-Claude Scherrer and Stanislas Wawrinka 6–3, 6–4 in the final for his first ATP doubles crown. Later, in October, Ram and Butorac defended their partnership at the PTT Thailand Open in Bangkok (indoor hard), prevailing over Spaniards Guillermo García-López and Germany's Mischa Zverev 7–6(7–4), 6–3. These victories underscored Ram's growing prowess in doubles across surfaces, with semifinals reached at several other tour-level events, including Bucharest and Estoril.[53][54] In singles, Ram built momentum with a strong showing at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he advanced to the round of 16 after defeating Olivier Patience and Tommy Robredo, before falling to Andy Roddick 6–3, 3–6, 6–3—his best result at a Masters 1000 event to date. At the Grand Slams, he notched a career-high third-round appearance in singles at the US Open, defeating Thiago Alves in the opener prior to a second-round exit against Juan Martín del Potro. In doubles at Wimbledon, Ram and partner Lovro Zovko progressed to the second round, losing to the 11th-seeded Brazilian pair Marcelo Melo and André Sá. These performances propelled Ram to a year-end singles ranking of No. 124 and No. 39 in doubles, signaling his dual-surface versatility while laying the foundation for a doubles-oriented career.[46]2010–2012: Steady progress in doubles
During the 2010 season, Rajeev Ram achieved his first ATP doubles title at the Atlanta Tennis Championships, partnering with Scott Lipsky to defeat Rohan Bopanna and Kristof Vliegen 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 12–10 in the final.[54] This victory marked a turning point in Ram's doubles career, as he and Lipsky demonstrated strong synergy on outdoor hard courts. In singles, Ram showed flashes of competitiveness by reaching the quarterfinals at the same Atlanta event, where he fell to Andy Roddick 6–1, 6–7(1–7), 6–3, but persistent challenges led to his year-end ranking dropping to No. 185.[55] Injuries, including an ankle sprain during a February match in Delray Beach, hampered his singles progress and prompted a strategic shift toward doubles for greater longevity.[56] In 2011, Ram solidified his partnership with Lipsky, securing two more ATP doubles titles. They won the SAP Open in San Jose, overcoming Mardy Fish and John Isner in the final, and followed it with the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, defeating the Bryan brothers in a key semifinal en route to the crown.[54][57] His singles play remained limited due to ongoing injury issues, ending the year ranked No. 149, as he increasingly prioritized doubles to manage physical demands.[55] Ram's doubles momentum continued into 2012, where he and Lipsky reached the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams, including a notable run at Wimbledon where they pushed the Bryan brothers to four sets before falling 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 7–5, 6–4.[58] Later that year, Ram partnered with Nenad Zimonjić to win the St. Petersburg Open, defeating Daniele Bracciali and Filip Polášek 6–3, 6–4 in the final for his fourth career doubles title.[54] In singles, injuries such as a back issue forced him to retire from events like the Belgrade Challenger and limited him to lower-level tournaments, resulting in a year-end ranking of No. 134 and a clear de-emphasis on the discipline.[59] This period established Lipsky as Ram's primary partner, contributing to three ATP doubles titles overall from 2010 to 2012 and highlighting Ram's growing expertise in the format amid singles setbacks.[60]2013–2015: Grand Slam semifinals and second singles title
During 2013, Ram continued to build momentum in doubles, partnering primarily with Rohan Bopanna, as the pair competed in several ATP events, reaching the quarterfinals at tournaments like the Chennai Open. Their collaboration helped Ram maintain a consistent presence in the top 100 doubles rankings, laying the foundation for deeper runs in major events the following year. In mixed doubles at the Australian Open, Ram paired with Natalie Grandin but exited in the first round, marking a transitional year focused on partnership stability.[61] In 2014, Ram teamed up with Scott Lipsky for a breakthrough in men's doubles, reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open. The unseeded American duo upset third seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic in the third round before falling to the top-seeded Bryan brothers in the semifinals, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. This run propelled Ram into the ATP doubles top 20 for the first time, peaking at No. 16 in September, a career milestone that highlighted the elevating impact of his partnership with Lipsky. The pair's aggressive net play and strong serving were key to their success on hard courts, with Ram also considering a shift away from singles due to persistent injury concerns and a growing focus on doubles.[62][63][64] The 2015 season marked Ram's final competitive push in singles, culminating in his second ATP title at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport. As a wild card entrant on grass, Ram defeated second seed Ivo Karlovic in the final, 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(2), showcasing resilient serving and baseline steadiness in a three-hour battle. This victory, six years after his first Newport title in 2009, briefly elevated his singles ranking to a career-high No. 56 in April 2016, though he played limited singles thereafter, retiring from the tour format in 2017 to prioritize doubles. In doubles, Ram reached the round of 16 at multiple Grand Slams, including Wimbledon and the US Open with various partners, solidifying his transition to a doubles specialist while ending his singles career on a high note.[65][66]2016: Olympic silver and major finals
In 2016, Rajeev Ram achieved his first Olympic medal by partnering with Venus Williams in mixed doubles at the Rio de Janeiro Games. The American pair advanced to the gold-medal match after defeating the Indian duo of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna in the semifinals, but fell to compatriots Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock 6–7(3), 6–1, [7–10] in the final to claim silver.[67][68] Teaming with Raven Klaasen in men's doubles, Ram captured two ATP titles that year: the Gerry Weber Open in Halle on grass, where they defended their previous year's crown by beating Łukasz Kubot and Alexander Peya 7–6(5), 6–4 in the final, and the Chengdu Open on hard courts, defeating Mikhail Elgin and Jonathan Erlich 7–6(4), 6–2.[54] The partnership also propelled them to four doubles finals overall, including a runner-up finish at the Nitto ATP Finals in London, where they lost to Henri Kontinen and John Peers 2–6, 6–1, [8–10] after earlier semifinal and round-robin successes.[5][6] Ram's mixed doubles success continued at the US Open, marking his first Grand Slam final in the discipline alongside CoCo Vandeweghe. The unseeded Americans upset top seeds Martina Hingis and Leander Paes in the second round before falling to Laura Siegemund and Mate Pavić 4–6, 4–6 in the championship match.[69] These accomplishments helped Ram achieve a career-high doubles ranking during the year and finish at No. 9 in the ATP doubles standings.[46][6]2017: Singles retirement and first Masters doubles title
Following a second-round defeat to Matthew Ebden at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rajeev Ram announced his retirement from professional singles tennis on July 26, 2017, opting to dedicate himself fully to doubles.[70] This marked the end of a singles career that featured two ATP titles—in Newport (2009 and 2015)—and a career-high ranking of No. 56 achieved in April 2016.[1] Ram reflected that the physical demands of competing in both disciplines had become unsustainable, stating, "I had a great year last year in singles and doubles, but I could just feel the wear and tear taking a toll on my body, and I just knew it was time to move on from singles."[71] The pivot allowed him to prioritize doubles, where he believed he could sustain a longer career at the elite level. Ram's transition to full-time doubles proved immediately rewarding. Partnering with South Africa's Raven Klaasen, he captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March 2017, rallying to defeat the top-seeded Łukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6–7(5), 6–4, [10–8] in the final. The victory, which came on Ram's 33rd birthday, was his second doubles title of the season with Klaasen and elevated his doubles ranking into the top 20 for the first time.[72] Throughout the year, Ram added two more doubles titles: the Shenzhen Open in January alongside Austria's Alexander Peya, and the Hall of Fame Open in July with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.[54] In Grand Slam play, he and Klaasen advanced to the third round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while reaching the second round at the French Open; Ram also competed in mixed doubles at the US Open, exiting in the first round with Australia's Casey Dellacqua.[73] These results contributed to a career-best year-end doubles ranking of No. 6.[46]2018–2019: Mixed doubles Grand Slam win
Ram's breakthrough in mixed doubles came at the 2019 Australian Open, where he partnered with Barbora Krejčíková to win his first Grand Slam title, defeating Australian wildcards Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith 7–6(7–3), 6–1 in the final.[74][75] This victory marked the culmination of a challenging period, as Ram had learned of his father Raghav's pancreatic cancer diagnosis shortly after the 2018 Australian Open, a revelation that cast a shadow over his season.[35] The elder Ram, who had introduced his son to tennis, passed away in April 2019, prompting Ram to reflect on the emotional toll while drawing strength from family ties.[22] In men's doubles, Ram maintained consistency despite the personal hardships, reaching the semifinals at both the 2018 Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open alongside Daniel Nestor, before falling in the quarterfinals at the US Open that year.[1] His partnership with Nestor, which had yielded a Masters 1000 title in 2017, concluded in late 2018, paving the way for a new collaboration with Joe Salisbury beginning in early 2019.[76] The duo quickly found success, winning their first title together at the Dubai Championships in March 2019 and finishing the year as one of the tour's top teams.[77] Throughout 2018 and 2019, Ram held a position in the ATP doubles top 10, peaking at No. 5 in July 2018 and remaining there into the following year, showcasing his resilience amid grief.[46] Later in 2019, Ram and Latisha Chan advanced to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in mixed doubles. Ram's ability to balance these achievements with personal loss highlighted his mental fortitude, as he later described the period as one that "shook" him but ultimately fueled his drive.[5]2020: Australian Open doubles title and top 5 ranking
Ram and his partner Joe Salisbury began 2020 strongly on hard courts, reaching the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, where they lost to John Peers and Michael Venus. The pair's form peaked at the Australian Open, where they claimed their first Grand Slam men's doubles title as the fourth seeds.[78] In the final, Ram and Salisbury defeated Australian wildcards Max Purcell and Luke Saville 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets, dropping just four games in the second set during an 80-minute match.[79] This victory marked Ram's first men's doubles major after 57 prior Grand Slam appearances without one, and it was the first American men's doubles title at the event since the Bryan brothers in 2013.[80][81] The Australian Open triumph propelled Ram into the ATP doubles top 5 for the first time, reaching a career-high of No. 5 immediately afterward.[82] Their success continued with semifinals at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, though the latter tournament was canceled mid-event due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.[83] The global health crisis severely disrupted the 2020 ATP Tour, suspending play from mid-March until late July and limiting the season to bio-secure "bubble" events like the US Open and ATP Finals. Ram and Salisbury adapted well, reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open in New York under strict protocols before falling to eventual champions Nikola Mektić and Wesley Koolhof. Their consistent hard-court play throughout the abbreviated year culminated in qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals in London as the second seeds.[84] At the ATP Finals, Ram and Salisbury advanced from the round-robin stage with victories over Kevin Krawietz/Andreas Mies and Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos, but were eliminated in the semifinals by Jürgen Melzer and Édouard Roger-Vasselin via a match tie-break. Ram concluded the year ranked No. 4 in doubles, a career milestone reflecting their dominant partnership amid the challenges of the pandemic.[1]2021: Multiple Grand Slam and Masters titles
Ram partnered with Barbora Krejčíková to win the Australian Open mixed doubles title, defeating Australian wild cards Matthew Ebden and Sam Stosur 6–1, 6–4 in the final; this marked Ram's second Grand Slam mixed doubles crown after their 2019 victory at the same event.[85] In men's doubles at the Australian Open, Ram and regular partner Joe Salisbury advanced to the final as the top seeds but fell to Ivan Dodig and Filip Polášek 6–4, 3–6, 3–6.[54] On clay at the French Open, Ram and Salisbury, seeded third, reached the third round before a 6–4, 6–4 defeat to Tim Pütz and Michael Venus ended their run.[86] Transitioning to grass, the pair achieved their best result of the year on the surface by reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, where they lost to top seeds Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–4.[87] Returning to hard courts, Ram and Salisbury captured their first ATP Masters 1000 title as a team at the Canadian Open in Montreal, overcoming Juan Sebastián Cabal and Robert Farah in the final 6–3, 6–4.[54] They followed this with their first men's doubles Grand Slam title at the US Open, rallying from a set down to beat seventh seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 in the final.[88] At the year-end Nitto ATP Finals, the duo went unbeaten in the round-robin stage and reached the final, only to lose to Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut 6–4, 7–6(7–0).[89] Ram's 2021 season yielded three titles—two Grand Slams across mixed and men's doubles, plus a Masters 1000 crown—highlighting his dominance on hard courts with a 44–17 overall doubles record alongside Salisbury.[90] This performance propelled him to a career-high No. 4 in the ATP doubles rankings in September.2022: US Open doubles crown, ATP Finals win, and World No. 1
Ram and partner Joe Salisbury entered 2022 as the reigning US Open doubles champions from the previous year and continued their dominant form throughout the season. They began the year by reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, where they were defeated by Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in straight sets. Despite the early exit, the duo quickly rebounded, capturing their first title of the year at the Monte-Carlo Masters in April. In the final, Ram and Salisbury overcame Juan Sebastián Cabal and Robert Farah 6–4, 3–6, [10–7] to secure their second Masters 1000 doubles crown as a team. The pair's momentum carried into the clay-court swing, where they advanced to the quarterfinals at the French Open as the top seeds, marking their best result at Roland Garros to date before falling to Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek in a three-set thriller, 3–6, 7–6(9), 7–6(10). Transitioning to grass, Ram and Salisbury again reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, once more exiting against Ebden and Purcell, 7–6(5), 3–6, 6–4, in a rematch from Melbourne. Their consistency on major stages solidified their status as top seeds and contenders. On hard courts, Ram and Salisbury won their second title of the year at the Cincinnati Masters in August, edging Tim Pütz and Michael Venus 7–6(0), 7–6(2) in the final to claim their first Western & Southern Open doubles trophy. This victory propelled them into the US Open as defending champions and top seeds, where they defended their title successfully. In the final, the American-British pair defeated Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 7–6(4), 7–5, becoming only the second team in the Open Era to win back-to-back US Open men's doubles titles, after Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1995–1996.[91] The win marked Ram's 30th career doubles title and highlighted their unmatched prowess at Flushing Meadows. The season's pinnacle came in November at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where Ram and Salisbury went undefeated to claim the year-end championship. They defeated Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić 7–6(4), 6–4 in the final, securing Ram's first ATP Finals doubles title and the largest doubles payday in history at $930,300.[92] Their four titles in 2022—Monte Carlo, Cincinnati, US Open, and ATP Finals—underscored a remarkable campaign. Following the Finals, Ram ascended to the World No. 1 doubles ranking for the first time on October 3, becoming the oldest player to achieve the milestone at age 38.[93] This ranking peak, combined with consistent top-seed seeding in major tournaments, cemented 2022 as the apex of Ram's doubles career.2023: Repeat US Open doubles success
Ram and his long-time partner Joe Salisbury entered the 2023 US Open as two-time defending champions and third seeds, aiming to achieve a historic three-peat in men's doubles.[94] The pair advanced through the draw with straight-set victories in the early rounds before facing tougher opposition in the semifinals, where they defeated fourth seeds Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(7).[95] In the final, Ram and Salisbury rallied from a set deficit to defeat Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, securing their third consecutive US Open men's doubles title and becoming the first team in the Open Era to accomplish this feat.[94][96] This victory marked Ram's fourth Grand Slam men's doubles crown overall and highlighted his enduring success at age 39.[95] Earlier in the Grand Slam season, Ram and Salisbury reached the third round at the Australian Open, falling to Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski 6-7(5), 4-6 after saving a match point in their second-round win over local wild cards Marc Polmans and Alexei Popyrin.[97] At Wimbledon, they progressed to the second round before a 4-6, 4-6 defeat to Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios.[98] Throughout 2023, Ram maintained a position inside the top five in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, holding steady after reaching world No. 1 in 2022—the oldest player to debut at that ranking.[1] The year proved highly successful, with Ram and Salisbury capturing five doubles titles: the ATP 250 in Lyon (defeating Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-6(5), 6-4 in the final), the ATP 500 in Washington (over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 6-4), the ATP 500 in Vienna (against Max Purcell and Luke Saville 7-6(1), 6-4), the US Open, and a repeat triumph at the Nitto ATP Finals (beating Granollers and Zeballos again, 6-3, 6-4).[99][100][101] These accomplishments underscored Ram's remarkable longevity and consistency in doubles at an advanced age.[102]2024: Second Olympic silver and partnership split
Ram began the 2024 season by capturing the Adelaide International doubles title alongside long-time partner Joe Salisbury, defeating Gonzalo Escobar and Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(7-2), 10-1 in the final to secure their 14th ATP Tour doubles crown together. This victory marked their first title of the year and highlighted the enduring success of their six-year collaboration, during which they amassed four Grand Slam men's doubles titles and two ATP Finals triumphs.[103] Throughout the Grand Slam season, Ram and Salisbury maintained competitive form but fell short of deep runs. At the Australian Open, they advanced to the round of 16 before losing to Sander Gillé and Joran Vliegen. They exited in the second round at the French Open against local wildcards Lucas Pouille and Grégoire Barrère, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon where they were defeated by Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, and suffered a third-round upset at the US Open to Nathaniel Lammons and Jordan Thompson, ending their bid for a fourth consecutive title there.[104] These results helped Ram sustain a year-end doubles ranking inside the top 10, peaking at No. 5 in June.[105] A highlight of Ram's year came at the Paris Olympics, where he partnered with Austin Krajicek in men's doubles, earning his second Olympic silver medal—following his 2016 mixed doubles silver with Venus Williams. The American duo stormed through the draw undefeated in sets until the final, including a notable 6-2, 6-4 semifinal victory over Czech pair Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek, but fell to Australia's Matthew Ebden and John Peers 6-7(8-6), 7-6(7-1), [10-8] in the gold-medal match.[106] This achievement underscored Ram's versatility and Olympic pedigree at age 40. In September 2024, Ram and Salisbury announced the end of their highly successful partnership, citing mutual respect and a desire for new challenges after six years and 14 ATP titles.[103] Ram expressed profound gratitude for the era, stating, "We achieved things I never dreamed possible," while emphasizing their lifelong friendship.[107] The split paved the way for Ram's transition to new pairings, beginning with his Olympic collaboration with Krajicek, as he continued to prioritize mixed doubles events alongside Desirae Krawczyk, reaching finals at the Australian Open and French Open earlier in the year.2025: Cincinnati Masters title and 500 career wins
Ram partnered with Nikola Mektić to claim the men's doubles title at the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, defeating Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego 4–6, 6–3, [10–5] in the final.[12] This victory marked Ram's first title of the season and his 32nd overall on the ATP Tour, while also securing their first Masters 1000 crown as a team.[12] At 41 years old, Ram demonstrated remarkable longevity, becoming one of the oldest champions in the event's history and underscoring his continued elite-level play.[5] Earlier in the year, Ram reached the doubles final at the Auckland ASB Classic alongside Christian Harrison but withdrew due to injury, handing the title to Nikola Mektić and Michael Venus by walkover.[108] Teaming with Austin Krajicek at the Australian Open, he advanced to the third round before falling to Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten 6–3, 7–6(6). In mixed doubles at Roland Garros, Ram and Katerina Siniaková exited in the first round, losing to Cristina Bucșa and Rafael Matos 6–4, 2–6, [13–11].[73] Ram's partnership with Mektić carried momentum into the US Open, where they progressed to the third round; his second-round victory on September 1 marked his 500th career doubles win on the ATP Tour.[13] In team competition, Ram contributed decisively to the United States' Davis Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic, partnering Krajicek to a 7–6(6), 5–7, 6–4 triumph over Jakub Menšík and Tomáš Macháč in the doubles rubber.[109] Ram did not qualify for the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals. For the year, as of November 2025, Ram secured one doubles title and earned approximately $501,582 in prize money, highlighting his sustained competitiveness at age 41.[66] The Cincinnati event itself received ATP Tour recognition as Tournament of the Year.[110]Team competitions
World TeamTennis
Rajeev Ram participated in World TeamTennis (WTT), a co-ed exhibition league founded in 1974 that features team-based matches with a unique scoring system designed for fast-paced entertainment. The format includes five sets—women's singles, men's singles, women's doubles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles—each played to five games with no-ad scoring and no let serves, culminating in overtime or a supertiebreaker if the overall score is tied.[111] Ram first appeared in WTT in 2013 as a substitute for the Washington Kastles, where he primarily competed in mixed doubles alongside Martina Hingis. His contributions helped the Kastles secure the league championship that year, defeating the Springfield Lasers 21-19 in the finals.[112] In 2015, Ram returned to the Kastles as a substitute, stepping in for Leander Paes during the season. He played key mixed doubles matches, including a 5-3 win with Anastasia Rodionova over the Boston Lobsters in the opener, aiding the team's undefeated run to their fifth consecutive WTT title against the Austin Aces.[113][114] Ram joined the San Diego Aviators for the 2017 season, bolstering their roster as a doubles specialist shortly after winning the Indian Wells Masters doubles title with Raven Klaasen. His role emphasized men's and mixed doubles, aligning with his ATP expertise while fitting the league's team-oriented schedule.[115] Ram's final WTT appearance came in 2020 with the expansion Chicago Smash, serving as a doubles specialist during the league's condensed, pandemic-shortened season at The Greenbrier resort. Partnering with players like Bethanie Mattek-Sands in mixed doubles and Brandon Nakashima in men's doubles, he helped the Smash reach the finals, where they lost 21-20 to the New York Empire in a supertiebreaker.[116][117] Over his intermittent WTT tenure from 2013 to 2020, Ram balanced league commitments with his professional ATP circuit obligations, leveraging his doubles prowess to enhance team dynamics in the entertainment-driven format.Davis Cup
Rajeev Ram made his Davis Cup debut for the United States in November 2021 at the age of 37, competing in the Finals group stage in Turin, Italy, where he partnered with Steve Johnson in doubles. Through 2025, Ram has appeared in 14 ties for the U.S. team, primarily as a doubles specialist. His contributions have been instrumental in securing several qualifications for the Davis Cup Finals, including decisive victories in qualifying rounds. However, he was controversially not selected for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals by captain Mardy Fish despite his world No. 1 doubles ranking and prior qualifier successes.[118][119] In doubles, Ram has maintained a strong 12-3 win-loss record across his appearances from 2021 to 2025, often anchoring the U.S. effort with partners like Austin Krajicek and Jack Sock. He secured multiple key doubles rubbers between 2021 and 2023, helping stabilize ties against strong opponents and contributing to the team's consistency in international competition. A standout performance came in September 2022, when Ram and Sock defeated Great Britain's Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in a grueling decider, clinching a 3-2 victory that promoted the U.S. to the World Group. Ram's role as a reliable doubles anchor has been particularly vital given his status as a former world No. 1 in the discipline. In February 2024, he and Krajicek defeated Ukraine's Illya Beloborodko and Oleksii Krutykh 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to seal a spot in the Finals group stage. More recently, in September 2025, Ram and Krajicek notched a hard-fought 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4 win over the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik in the doubles rubber, providing a competitive highlight during the U.S.'s qualifying efforts despite the tie's outcome.Significant finals
Grand Slam doubles finals
Rajeev Ram has appeared in five men's doubles finals at Grand Slam tournaments, achieving a record of four wins and one loss. All of his finals came in partnership with Joe Salisbury of Great Britain, marking them as one of the most successful doubles teams of the Open Era.[103]| Year | Tournament | Result | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Australian Open | Win (1) | Joe Salisbury (GBR) | Max Purcell / Luke Saville (AUS) | 6–4, 6–2[80] |
| 2021 | Australian Open | Loss (1) | Joe Salisbury (GBR) | Ivan Dodig / Filip Polášek (CRO / SVK) | 3–6, 4–6[50] |
| 2021 | US Open | Win (1) | Joe Salisbury (GBR) | Jamie Murray / Bruno Soares (GBR / BRA) | 3–6, 6–2, 6–2[120] |
| 2022 | US Open | Win (1) | Joe Salisbury (GBR) | Wesley Koolhof / Neal Skupski (NED / GBR) | 7–6(7–4), 7–5[121] |
| 2023 | US Open | Win (1) | Joe Salisbury (GBR) | Rohan Bopanna / Matthew Ebden (IND / AUS) | 2–6, 7–5, 7–5[95] |
Grand Slam mixed doubles finals
Rajeev Ram has reached three Grand Slam mixed doubles finals in his career, achieving a record of two titles and one runner-up finish. His successes in this discipline highlight his versatility as a doubles specialist, partnering with accomplished female players to secure victories at the Australian Open. These achievements contributed significantly to his overall Grand Slam tally of six titles, split between men's and mixed doubles events.[2]| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponents | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US Open | CoCo Vandeweghe | Mate Pavić / Laura Siegemund | Runner-up | 4–6, 4–6[122] |
| 2019 | Australian Open | Barbora Krejčíková | Astra Sharma / John-Patrick Smith | Winners | 7–6(7–3), 6–1[74][123] |
| 2021 | Australian Open | Barbora Krejčíková | Samantha Stosur / Matthew Ebden | Winners | 6–1, 6–4[124][85] |
ATP Finals doubles
Rajeev Ram qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals doubles event seven times between 2016 and 2023, establishing himself as one of the premier doubles players during that period. His debut in 2016 came alongside Raven Klaasen, with the pair topping their round-robin group before reaching the final, where they lost to Henri Kontinen and John Peers 2–6, 6–1, 8–10. The following year, Ram and Klaasen returned but exited in the round-robin stage with a 1–2 record. After missing qualification in 2018, Ram partnered with Joe Salisbury starting in 2019, advancing to the semi-finals that year before a round-robin elimination. In 2020, Ram and Salisbury achieved a breakthrough by winning their round-robin group and reaching the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Jürgen Melzer and Édouard Roger-Vasselin 6–4, 3–6, 6–10, narrowly missing the year-end No. 1 doubles ranking. The partnership peaked in subsequent years, culminating in four consecutive final appearances from 2021 to 2023. In the 2021 final, they fell to Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut 4–6, 6–7(0–7). Ram and Salisbury then claimed the title in 2022, defeating Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–2) in the final and securing Ram's ascent to doubles World No. 1 later that season. They defended their crown in 2023 with a 6–3, 6–4 victory over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the championship match. Ram's success at the ATP Finals highlights his prowess on indoor hard courts, where the event's round-robin format followed by knockouts favored his tactical serve-and-volley style and endurance. Over his seven appearances, he compiled a strong win-loss record, with the two titles marking him as a dominant force in the year-end elite eight-team field.Masters 1000 doubles finals
Rajeev Ram has reached 10 finals in ATP Masters 1000 doubles events throughout his career, achieving 6 victories that underscore his expertise and consistency at this elite level, with a particular emphasis on hard-court surfaces where he has secured five of his titles.[54] His partnerships have been instrumental in these successes, notably with Raven Klaasen for his debut win and later with Joe Salisbury for multiple triumphs, before transitioning to Nikola Mektić in 2025 for his latest title. These achievements highlight Ram's adaptability and competitive edge against top pairs, contributing to his status as a doubles specialist. He has also experienced 4 runner-up finishes in Masters 1000 events, including losses in Rome (2019) and Montreal (2024).[54] The following table summarizes Ram's Masters 1000 doubles title wins:| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponents | Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Indian Wells | Raven Klaasen | Łukasz Kubot / Marcelo Melo | 6–7(1), 6–4, [10–8] | [127] |
| 2021 | Cincinnati | Joe Salisbury | Andrey Rublev / Aslan Karatsev | 6–4, 6–4 | [54] |
| 2022 | Monte Carlo | Joe Salisbury | Juan Sebastián Cabal / Robert Farah | 6–1, 3–6, [10–7] | [54] |
| 2022 | Cincinnati | Joe Salisbury | Tim Pütz / Michael Venus | 7–6(4), 7–6(5) | |
| 2023 | Miami | Joe Salisbury | Marcel Granollers / Horacio Zeballos | 7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–4) | |
| 2025 | Cincinnati | Nikola Mektić | Lorenzo Musetti / Lorenzo Sonego | 4–6, 6–3, [10–5] | [12] |
Olympic doubles medal matches
Rajeev Ram competed in men's doubles at three Olympic Games, but only reached a medal match in 2024. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, partnering with Frances Tiafoe, they advanced past the first round with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee before losing 3-6, 5-7 to Marin Čilić and Ivan Dodig of Croatia in the round of 16, finishing ninth overall.[128][129] Ram's most successful Olympic men's doubles campaign came at the 2024 Paris Games, where he teamed with Austin Krajicek as the fourth seeds. They navigated a challenging draw without dropping a set until the final, defeating opponents including notable singles stars. Their path included a 6-4, 7-6(7-3) win over Thiago Monteiro and Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil in the round of 16, a 6-2, 6-4 upset over Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal of Spain in the quarterfinals, and a 6-2, 6-2 semifinal victory against Tomáš Macháč and Adam Pavlásek of Czechia.[130][131][132] In the gold medal match on August 3, 2024, at Roland Garros' Court Philippe-Chatrier, Ram and Krajicek faced Matthew Ebden and John Peers of Australia. The match was a tense affair lasting over two hours, with both teams trading tight sets. Ram and Krajicek took the first set in a tiebreak 8-6 after saving break points, but Ebden and Peers responded by winning the second set tiebreak 7-1. The deciding match tiebreak went to 10 points, where the Australians edged ahead 10-8 after fending off three match points from the Americans, securing gold for Australia and silver for the U.S. pair. This marked the first American medal in Olympic men's doubles since Jack Sock and Steve Johnson's bronze in 2016.[133][134]| Round | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | Thiago Monteiro / Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) | 6–4, 7–6(7–3) |
| Quarterfinals | Carlos Alcaraz / Rafael Nadal (ESP) | 6–2, 6–4 |
| Semifinals | Tomáš Macháč / Adam Pavlásek (CZE) | 6–2, 6–2 |
| Gold Medal Match | Matthew Ebden / John Peers (AUS) | 7–6(8–6), 6–7(1–7), [8–10] |
Olympic mixed doubles medal matches
Rajeev Ram participated in Olympic mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Games, achieving his lone medal in the event during the former tournament. Partnering with Venus Williams, a member of the storied Williams family that has dominated Olympic tennis doubles alongside her sister Serena, Ram reached the gold medal match in Rio, marking a significant milestone in his international career.[135][136] In Rio, Williams and Ram opened with a tense round-of-16 victory over Kiki Bertens and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands, saving a match point before prevailing in three sets. They followed with a straight-sets quarterfinal win against Roberta Vinci and Fabio Fognini of Italy, 6–3, 7–5. In the semifinals, the American pair rallied from a set deficit to defeat Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna of India, 2–6, 6–2, 10–3. The final pitted them against compatriots Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock in an all-U.S. showdown; after splitting the first two sets, Williams and Ram fell in the match tiebreak, 6–7(3–7), 6–1, 10–7, earning silver. This result helped the United States sweep the mixed doubles podium—the first such feat since the discipline's Olympic reintroduction in 2012—while giving Williams a record-tying fifth career Olympic tennis medal.[137][138][136] At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Ram teamed with Bethanie Mattek-Sands but exited in the first round, losing to Laura Siegemund and Kevin Krawietz of Germany in a match tiebreak decider.[139]Career statistics
Singles finals
Rajeev Ram reached three ATP Tour singles finals during his career, achieving a 2–1 record. All of his finals occurred at the ATP 250 level, with no appearances in Grand Slam singles finals. His successes were confined to grass-court events, highlighting his affinity for the surface.[5]| Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Hall of Fame Championships (Newport, USA) | Grass | Sam Querrey (USA) | Won (1) | 6–7(3), 7–5, 6–3[140] |
| 2009 | SA Tennis Open (Johannesburg, South Africa) | Hard | Janko Tipsarević (SRB) | Lost (1) | 1–6, 4–6[54] |
| 2015 | Hall of Fame Championships (Newport, USA) | Grass | Ivo Karlović (CRO) | Won (2) | 7–6(5), 5–7, 7–6(2)[45] |
Doubles finals
Rajeev Ram has competed in 56 ATP Tour doubles finals throughout his career, achieving 32 victories and 24 defeats across all tournament levels, including ATP 250, 500, Masters 1000, Grand Slams, and the ATP Finals.[54] His titles reflect successful collaborations with various partners, most notably Joe Salisbury, with whom he secured 14 championships; Daniel Nestor, contributing 4 titles; and Sam Querrey, with 2 titles, alongside other pairings such as with Raven Klaasen, Édouard Roger-Vasselin, and Nikola Mektić.[54][103] In terms of achievements by category, Ram has claimed 4 Grand Slam men's doubles titles, 6 ATP Masters 1000 crowns, 2 Nitto ATP Finals triumphs, and 20 victories at the ATP 250 and 500 levels, demonstrating his versatility across surfaces and event tiers.[54] His most recent success came in 2025 at the Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he partnered with Nikola Mektić to defeat Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego in the final, 4–6, 6–3, [10–5], marking his 32nd doubles title.[12]Performance records
Rajeev Ram achieved a historic milestone by becoming the oldest player to reach the world No. 1 ranking in doubles for the first time, ascending to the top spot at age 38 on October 3, 2022.[93] This accomplishment underscored his exceptional longevity and consistency in the discipline after nearly two decades on the professional circuit.[93] Ram holds the Open Era record for the most consecutive men's doubles titles at the US Open, securing three straight victories from 2021 to 2023 alongside partner Joe Salisbury.[95] These triumphs marked his third, fourth, and fifth Grand Slam men's doubles titles overall, all won with Salisbury, while his two mixed doubles titles came at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 with Barbora Krejčíková.[2] His success across multiple partners highlights his adaptability and enduring competitiveness at the highest levels of the sport.[141] In September 2025, during the US Open, Ram reached the milestone of 500 career ATP-level wins, predominantly in doubles, making him the only active American man to achieve this mark.[13] As of November 2025, his career doubles record stands at 505–360 on the ATP Tour, yielding a win percentage of 58%.[1] This statistic reflects his reliability, with titles spanning from his first ATP doubles crown in 2011 to his 32nd in 2025, covering 14 years of sustained excellence.[54]Performance timelines
Singles
Rajeev Ram competed in singles at Grand Slam tournaments from 2008 to 2016, achieving his career-best result of reaching the third round at the 2009 US Open. His performances were modest overall, with multiple second-round appearances in 2013 and limited participation thereafter as he shifted focus to doubles. No further deep runs occurred after 2010, and he retired from singles competition in 2017.[1][142] The table below details his year-by-year results at the four major tournaments, where "A" indicates absent, "Q" qualifying round participation without main draw entry, "1R" first round, "2R" second round, and "3R" third round. Win-Loss records reflect only Grand Slam main draw matches for that year, and rankings are year-end singles positions.[143][55]| Year | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | Win–Loss | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | – |
| 2003 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | – |
| 2004 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | – |
| 2005 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | – |
| 2006 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | – |
| 2007 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | – |
| 2008 | A | A | A | 1R | 0–1 | 195 |
| 2009 | A | A | A | 3R | 2–1 | 79 |
| 2010 | A | 1R | A | A | 0–1 | 185 |
| 2011 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | 149 |
| 2012 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | 134 |
| 2013 | 2R | A | 2R | 2R | 3–3 | 127 |
| 2014 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | 140 |
| 2015 | A | A | A | 2R | 1–1 | 89 |
| 2016 | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1–4 | 130 |
| 2017 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | 348 |
Doubles
Rajeev Ram has established himself as one of the premier doubles players on the ATP Tour, reaching a career-high doubles ranking of No. 1 on October 3, 2022, at the age of 38, making him the oldest first-time No. 1 in doubles history.[93] His career doubles record stands at 502 wins and 354 losses as of November 2025, with 32 titles, including four Grand Slam crowns and six Masters 1000 victories.[1] Ram's success peaked from 2020 to 2023, when he reached five Grand Slam finals alongside long-time partner Joe Salisbury, securing wins at the 2020 Australian Open and three straight US Open titles from 2021 to 2023—the first such three-peat in the Open Era. His best performance at Wimbledon came in 2013, reaching the semifinals with Scott Lipsky.[144] In 2024, following his split from Salisbury after six years together, Ram partnered primarily with Austin Krajicek and reached quarterfinals or better at several Masters 1000 events, including a final at the Cincinnati Masters.[103] The 2025 season has seen Ram teaming with Nikola Mektić, highlighted by a title at the Cincinnati Masters and ongoing competition, with a current doubles ranking of No. 28 as of November 3, 2025.[110][145] The following table summarizes Ram's Grand Slam doubles results year by year, with partners noted where they were consistent for the year or major events. Early career partners included various players like Jimmy Arias and Scott Lipsky, transitioning to more stable pairings like Bruno Soares in 2016 and Salisbury from 2019 onward.| Year | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | Notable Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1R (w/ Jimmy Arias) | 1R | 1R | 1R | Jimmy Arias |
| 2003 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2004 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2005 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2006 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2007 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2008 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2009 | 1R | 1R | 2R (w/ S. Lipsky) | 1R | Scott Lipsky |
| 2010 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | Various |
| 2011 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2012 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | Various |
| 2013 | 2R | 1R | SF (w/ S. Lipsky) | 3R | Scott Lipsky |
| 2014 | 2R (w/ S. Lipsky) | 1R | 1R | 1R | Scott Lipsky |
| 2015 | 1R | 1R | 2R | 3R | Various |
| 2016 | 1R | 1R | 2R | F (w/ B. Soares) | Bruno Soares |
| 2017 | 1R | 1R | 3R | QF | Various |
| 2018 | 1R | 2R | 1R | 3R | Various |
| 2019 | 2R | 3R | 1R | QF (w/ J. Salisbury) | Joe Salisbury |
| 2020 | W (w/ J. Salisbury) | QF (w/ J. Salisbury) | 1R | 3R | Joe Salisbury |
| 2021 | 2R | 3R | QF | W (w/ J. Salisbury) | Joe Salisbury |
| 2022 | SF (w/ J. Salisbury) | 3R | 3R | W (w/ J. Salisbury) | Joe Salisbury |
| 2023 | 3R | 3R | 1R | W (w/ J. Salisbury) | Joe Salisbury |
| 2024 | 3R (w/ A. Krajicek) | QF (w/ A. Krajicek) | 2R | 3R | Austin Krajicek |
| 2025 | 3R (w/ A. Krajicek) | 1R | 1R | QF (w/ N. Mektić) | Austin Krajicek, Nikola Mektić |
Mixed doubles
Rajeev Ram has achieved considerable success in mixed doubles, particularly at the Grand Slam tournaments, where he has won two titles and reached one final. His breakthrough came in 2019 when he partnered with Barbora Krejčíková to claim the Australian Open title, defeating Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith in the final.[146] Ram and Krejčíková repeated their success in 2021 at the same event, defeating Matthew Ebden and Samantha Stosur 6-1, 6-4 in the championship match.[147][85] These victories highlight Ram's prowess in the discipline, with both titles secured on hard courts in Melbourne. In addition to his Slam titles, Ram reached the mixed doubles final at the 2016 US Open alongside CoCo Vandeweghe, where they fell to Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock 6-4, 6-4. Ram's Olympic performances include a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Games with Venus Williams, losing the gold-medal match to Mattek-Sands and Sock.[9] He also competed in mixed doubles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing ninth.[9] Note that Ram earned another Olympic silver in 2024, but in men's doubles with Austin Krajicek. Ram's primary mixed doubles partners at the Grand Slams have included Krejčíková (for both titles), Vandeweghe, and Williams, though he has teamed with others such as Katerina Siniaková (reaching the first round at the 2025 French Open) and Katie Volynets (advancing to the second round at the 2024 Wimbledon).[73][148] From 2016 to 2024, Ram demonstrated consistency by reaching at least the quarterfinals in multiple Grand Slams, establishing himself as a reliable contender in the format despite its intermittent participation across events. The following table summarizes Ram's Grand Slam mixed doubles performance timeline, focusing on Slams where he competed (many years absent or early exits not detailed due to limited participation; win-loss reflects matches played at Slams that year).| Year | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | Win–Loss (Slams) | Year-End Mixed Ranking* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2015 | A | A | A | A | 0–0 | N/A |
| 2016 | 1R | 1R | 1R | F | 5–3 | N/A |
| 2017 | 1R | 2R | A | 1R | 2–3 | N/A |
| 2018 | 1R | A | 1R | QF | 3–3 | N/A |
| 2019 | W | 1R | 1R | QF | 9–2 | N/A |
| 2020 | QF | A | NH | 1R | 2–2 | N/A |
| 2021 | W | SF | 1R | QF | 10–2 | N/A |
| 2022 | 2R | QF | 1R | SF | 6–4 | N/A |
| 2023 | QF | 1R | QF | QF | 7–4 | N/A |
| 2024 | 2R | 2R | 2R | 1R | 3–4 | N/A |
| 2025 | 1R | 1R | A | A | 0–2 | N/A |
NH = Not held (due to COVID-19). A = Absent. Results based on verified matches; early rounds in non-significant years omitted for conciseness.[149]