Olivia Gadecki and John Peers delivered a masterclass in resilience, retaining their Australian Open mixed doubles title with a 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 triumph over France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard. Rod Laver Arena pulsed with energy during Friday’s decider, where a super tiebreak heroics turned potential heartbreak into triumph.
The French pair struck first, but the Aussies’ fightback was relentless. In the tiebreak’s heat—down 5-7—Gadecki’s ice-cool winners and Peers’ aggressive poaching won five straight crucial points. A pivotal out call on Mladenovic at 8-7, Peers’ searing return to 9-7, and Guinard’s final error after saving match point crowned the champions.
Milestones abound: First pair in 37 years to defend a Slam mixed doubles consecutively, post-Novotna-Pugh. They’re also the top Aussie act at home since Court-Fletcher’s era, fueling national pride.
Overwhelmed, Gadecki said, ‘Unbelievable—we knew our potential, but this is next level.’ Peers’ trophy cabinet swells with a third mixed title (second with Gadecki), joining his men’s doubles AO win and Olympic gold.
Their synergy—Peers’ savvy and Gadecki’s power—positions them as forces to watch. This victory not only defends but elevates Australian tennis on the global stage.