Early Career and Singles Focus
In his early career, Ram competed in both singles and doubles. His singles career saw some success, with his highest ranking reaching No. 56 in the world in April 2016. His breakthrough in singles came in 2009 when he won his first and only ATP singles title at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island. He defeated Sam Querrey in the final, making him one of the few players to win both singles and doubles titles at the same tournament.
Rajeev also had notable singles wins over top players like Grigor Dimitrov and Kevin Anderson during his career. However, by 2017, Ram began to focus more exclusively on doubles, where his skills at the net and solid serve made him a dominant force.
Doubles Career
Ram’s true career breakthrough came in doubles, where he has achieved significant success. Over the years, he has partnered with several prominent players, including Scott Lipsky, Joe Salisbury, and Raven Klaasen. He has won multiple Grand Slam titles and ATP Masters 1000 events.
Grand Slam Titles
Ram has been especially successful in men’s doubles, winning three Grand Slam titles:
- Australian Open (2020 and 2021) with Joe Salisbury
- US Open (2022) with Joe Salisbury
His partnership with Salisbury has been particularly fruitful, as they have also reached multiple Grand Slam finals and ATP Masters 1000 finals together.
Mixed Doubles
Ram has also had significant success in mixed doubles. He won his first Grand Slam mixed doubles title at the 2019 Australian Open with Barbora Krejčíková, and they repeated their success at the 2021 Australian Open. This made Ram one of the few players to have multiple Grand Slam titles in both men’s and mixed doubles.
Olympic Success
Ram represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he earned a silver medal in mixed doubles with Venus Williams. Their run to the final was one of the highlights of his career, adding to his reputation as a versatile and consistent doubles player on the world stage.
Later Career and Legacy
In recent years, Ram has continued to excel in doubles, consistently ranking among the top 10 players in the world. His partnership with Joe Salisbury remains one of the most successful on the tour. As of 2023, he has over 25 ATP doubles titles and has been a finalist in several more. His career longevity and consistent performances have made him one of the most respected doubles specialists in the sport.