Matt Ebden and John Peers etched their names into Australian Olympic history by capturing the nation’s second tennis gold medal in the men’s doubles event at the 2024 Paris Games. Their thrilling victory over Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of the United States in a match tiebreaker marked a significant milestone for Australian tennis.
The Australians faced an uphill battle after losing the first set and trailing 4-2 in the second. However, they displayed remarkable resilience, breaking Ram’s serve to ignite their comeback. Their triumph echoed the historic gold medal won by Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in men’s doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Ebden’s journey to the gold medal was particularly noteworthy. Initially a fill-in in singles, he faced the formidable Novak Djokovic and suffered a heavy defeat. Djokovic’s subsequent comments sparked controversy, questioning Ebden’s inclusion in the singles bracket without a teammate.
Undeterred, Ebden and Peers forged an unbreakable bond on the court. Their victory was a testament to their determination and the power of teamwork. After the match, their children rushed onto the court to celebrate with their fathers, adding an emotional touch to the moment.
Ram, at 40 years old, was aiming to become the oldest player to win an Olympic tennis gold medal since the sport’s return to the Summer Games in 1988. He and Krajicek, who had eliminated Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, fell just short of their goal.
The bronze medal match featured another American duo, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, who faced Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek of the Czech Republic. Machac and Katerina Siniakova had previously won the mixed doubles gold medal.
Both Ram and Krajicek have achieved significant success in doubles, with Ram claiming four Grand Slam titles and Krajicek winning one. Ebden has also won two Slam trophies in men’s doubles and one in mixed. Peers, a former world No. 1 in doubles, has one Grand Slam title each in men’s and mixed doubles.
The Australian victory is a testament to the nation’s enduring strength in tennis. Ebden and Peers’ gold medal will inspire future generations of Australian tennis players and serve as a reminder of the power of perseverance and teamwork.
