In a rare all-Australian mixed doubles final, the wild card pairing of Olivia Gadecki and John Peers emerged victorious on day thirteen of the Australian Open. Taking center stage on Rod Laver Arena, the duo overcame John-Patrick Smith and Kimberly Birrell with a thrilling 3-6, 6-4, 10-6 score line to claim their first Grand Slam title together.
For the 22-year-old Gadecki, this monumental win marks her maiden major title. Riding high on the wave of success with her experienced partner Peers, she sealed the championship with an authoritative overhead winner. In the trophy presentation, Gadecki expressed her joy in contesting an all-Australian final and gratitude towards Peers, remarking, “Thanks for letting me ride the wave, and just having a great time out there.”
Peers, no stranger to the grand stages of tennis, adds this mixed doubles crown to his impressive collection, which already boasts:
- An Olympic gold medal
- An Australian Open men’s doubles title
- A mixed doubles title from the 2022 U.S. Open
In a touching moment during the trophy ceremony, Peers praised his young partner, “You’re a class act — keep going. This is just the start for you.” The camaraderie and mutual respect between the champions was evident throughout their campaign.
A Bittersweet Birthday for Smith
For runner-up John-Patrick Smith, the loss coincided with his 36th birthday. His partner Kimberly Birrell ensured the occasion was not forgotten, leading the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” during the presentation. Despite the disappointing result, Smith can hold his head high after a stellar run to the final.
Interestingly, Gadecki and Birrell had teamed up in the women’s doubles earlier in the tournament, progressing to the third round together. Their familiarity with each other’s games undoubtedly added an extra layer of intrigue to this historic all-Australian clash.
As the Australian Open 2025 draws to a close, the mixed doubles final provided a fitting showcase of the depth and camaraderie within Australian tennis. With rising stars like Olivia Gadecki making their mark and stalwarts such as John Peers continuing to excel, the future looks bright for the green and gold on the Grand Slam stage.
