Gadecki, Peers Successfully Retain Mixed Doubles Title at Australian Open

Olivia Gadecki and John Peers etched their names into Australian Open history on Friday, becoming the first pair in more than three decades to successfully defend the mixed doubles title at Melbourne Park. The Australian duo battled past France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard in a gripping final, winning 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 at Rod Laver Arena.

After dropping the opening set, Gadecki and Peers responded with an inspired second-set performance, breaking serve early and building momentum to force a match tiebreak. In the decisive super tiebreak, the home favourites found themselves trailing 7-5 before mounting a late surge to move ahead 9-7. On championship point, Peers was serving when Guinard sent a backhand into the net, sealing victory for the Australians.

The triumph made Gadecki and Peers the first reigning Australian Open mixed doubles champions to return to the final and lift the trophy again since 1989. As wild-card entrants this year, they also followed in the rare footsteps of past champions who have managed to defend the title on home soil.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Peers praised his partner and reflected on their successful partnership, saying he was grateful to share the court with Gadecki again and delighted they were able to enjoy another memorable run together.

Mladenovic and Guinard showed resilience throughout the match, claiming the opening set after Peers narrowly missed a crucial shot on set point. However, the Australians seized control in the second set, winning the majority of points during a dominant stretch to level the contest.

Mladenovic, a multiple Grand Slam champion with titles in both mixed and women’s doubles, congratulated the Australian pair, noting that winning a major is a major achievement, but defending a Grand Slam crown is an even greater challenge.