Paris Olympics 2024: Matt Ebden and John Peers secure Australia’s first tennis gold since 1996
For the first time since 1996, Australia has a gold medal in tennis as WA’s Matt Ebden and John Peers claimed gold in a dramatic men’s doubles final at Roland Garros.
Down a set and a break Australia’s gold medal hopes looked to be slipping away before the Aussie duo dug deep to stun their American rivals and replicate the legendary 1996 feat of ‘the Woodies.’
The Aussie pair were in trouble early after they were broken on their third service game following a communication breakdown that saw both men in the same half of the court.
But Ebden showed terrific hustle before Peers’ pinpoint placement had the Australian pair looking at two break points in the following game with Rajeev Ram releasing the scoreboard pressure with a double fault to get the game back on serve.
As he has shown all tournament Ebden’s fitness has been elite able to keep points alive as he was often forced to scramble as Peers was struggling on his serves with the Australians only managing to win 58 per cent of first service points.
Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 03: Matthew Ebden and John Peers of Team Australia interact during the Tennis Men’s Doubles Gold Medal match against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of Team United States on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
With neither pair having dropped a set all tournament we were always heading for a tiebreak and it was here where their first service troubles began to really hurt Australia.
They found themselves down a minibreak early before a booming forehand from Ebden got them back on level pegging.
But Peers was shaky on service again and though his second serve was just about perfect Ram’s return was even better.
Staring down the barrel of set-point it was Ebden who came up clutch again to keep the game alive but on his next serve, a first fault seemed just break his nerve as Ram speared a forehand drive that was too hot for the Aussie to handle as he and Peers dropped their first set for the tournament.
It was all the opening that the USA team needed as they broke early in the second set which they quickly consolidated as the Aussie duo could not find the answers to Ram’s booming forehands.
Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 03: Austin Krajicek of Team United States serves as he plays with Rajeev Ram of Team United States during the Tennis Men’s Doubles Gold Medal match against Matthew Ebden and John Peers of Team Australia on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Austin Krajicek was feeding off his partner’s energy as he began to find some stunning winners but just as it looked like the Australians were about to succumb they lifted to stay in the fight.
The only weakness in Ram’s game had been on his serve and as they did in the first set Peers and Ebden pounced as they pulled themselves back into the game at 4-4.
Peers was then able to hold serve despite his first double fault of the match as Ebden showed his volley and lob prowess to get the crowd on their feet to edge Australia in front.
Another tiebreak followed but the Aussies came out flying rifling off the first four points to go 4-0 up before taking it 6-1.
Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 03: Matthew Ebden and John Peers of Team Australia interact during the Tennis Men’s Doubles Gold Medal match against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram of Team United States on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Up 9-5 in the super tiebreak, the gold medal was in their hands but three straight points to the Americans put all the pressure on Peers’ serve at 9-8.
But it was a great first serve to put the US on the back foot before Ebden smashed the winner.
#Paris #Olympics #Matt #Ebden #John #Peers #secure #Australias #tennis #gold