Olivia Gadecki and John Peers Retain Australian Open Mixed Doubles Title

Australia’s Olivia Gadecki and John Peers made history on January 30 by becoming the first team in 37 years to successfully defend the Australian Open mixed doubles title. The wildcard pairing defeated France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6 6-3 10-8 in a dramatic final.

The victory marks Gadecki’s second Grand Slam title and Peers’ fourth. They are the first Australian duo to retain the crown since Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher 62 years ago and the first overall to do so since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1989.

Mladenovic and Guinard broke Peers in the opening game and maintained the lead to take the first set 6-4. The Australians fought back in the second set, breaking early to take a 3-1 lead and holding serve to force a 10-point tiebreak, with the crowd at Rod Laver Arena roaring in support.

The tiebreak saw multiple momentum swings, including an early double fault by Mladenovic and a five-point run for the Australians. Peers delivered a decisive forehand to secure two championship points, and the title was clinched when Guinard hit the net.

«Winning a Grand Slam once is super difficult, but defending it is a very, very big task,» Mladenovic said, praising the effort of her first-time Grand Slam partner Guinard, who supported her return from injury just months earlier.

Gadecki reflected on the achievement: «I can’t believe we’re in this position right now. To hold the trophy again this year is incredible.»

Kursiv also reports that World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka argued with the chair umpire after a controversial hindrance call during her Australian Open semi-final against Elina Svitolina but said the decision ultimately helped her win.