In a stunning display of resilience and skill, Australian tennis players Matthew Ebden and John Peers clinched the gold medal in men’s doubles at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The duo overcame a set deficit to defeat the American team of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in a nail-biting final, with scores of 6-7(6-8), 7-6(7-1), 10-8.The match, which lasted just over two hours on the Philippe-Chatrier Court at Roland Garros, saw the Australians mount an impressive comeback after trailing by a set and 4-2 in the second. Their victory marks only the second Olympic gold medal in tennis for Australia, following Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde’s win in Atlanta 1996.For 36-year-old Ebden, this triumph comes as a particularly sweet redemption. Earlier in the tournament, he faced criticism for his singles performance, where he suffered a heavy defeat against Novak Djokovic. ‘It was a great day,’ Ebden remarked, celebrating with his family and draping a replica gold medal around his son’s neck.His partner, John Peers, adds this gold to the bronze he won in mixed doubles with Ash Barty at the Tokyo Games. ‘We’re over the moon,’ Peers said. ‘We’ve worked so hard for this moment, and it’s just an incredible feeling’.The American team’s Rajeev Ram, at 40 years and 138 days old, narrowly missed becoming the oldest player to win an Olympic tennis gold since the sport’s return to the Games in 1988. Despite the loss, Ram acknowledged the match’s intensity, stating, ‘It was a great day’.This victory not only cements Ebden and Peers’ place in Olympic history but also highlights Australia’s enduring strength in doubles tennis on the international stage.
Key points
- Australian duo Matthew Ebden and John Peers won gold in men’s doubles tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- This is only Australia’s second Olympic gold medal in tennis, following a win in 1996.
- The victory came after a comeback from being a set and 4-2 down in the second set.
- At 40 years old, American Rajeev Ram narrowly missed becoming the oldest Olympic tennis gold medalist.
