Matthew Ebden and John Peers, the Australian duo, have etched their names in Olympic history by claiming the gold medal in the men’s doubles tennis competition at the Paris 2024 Games. They secured the victory after a dramatic three-set encounter against the American pair of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
The match was a nail-biting affair from the outset. The Americans, boasting the experience of 40-year-old Rajeev Ram, one of three former doubles world number ones on the court, displayed their quality early on. However, the Australians, despite dropping the first set, showcased their resilience and determination. They fought back from a 4-2 deficit in the second set, eventually forcing a tiebreaker which they dominated.
The deciding super tiebreak was a nerve-wracking affair. The Australians, though leading 9-5 at one point, saw their opponents rally to level the score at 9-8. With his daughter watching from the stands, John Peers stepped up, producing an ice-cool volley after his serve before delivering a powerful smash to seal the victory.
This marks Australia’s second Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles tennis, following the triumph of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in Atlanta 1996. Peers, who also claimed a bronze medal in the mixed doubles alongside Ash Barty at the Tokyo Games, now adds another Olympic accolade to his impressive resume.
The bronze medal match will be contested between the American duo of Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul and the Czech pair of Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek, adding further excitement to the tennis competition at Roland Garros.
