Gadecki And Peers Make History With Back-To-Back Australian Open Mixed Doubles Titles

Olivia Gadecki and John Peers have etched their names into Australian Open history, defending their mixed doubles crown in a dramatic showdown at Rod Laver Arena on Friday, January 30, 2026. The home favorites rallied from a set down to outlast the French duo of Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard, ultimately clinching a 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 victory in front of an electrified Melbourne crowd.

This triumph marks the first time in 37 years that a team has won back-to-back Australian Open mixed doubles titles, a feat last achieved by Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1988 and 1989. Even more impressively, Gadecki and Peers are the first all-Australian pairing to accomplish this since legends Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher, who captured three consecutive titles from 1963 to 1965.

For Gadecki, just 23 years old and a former top-ranked junior, the magnitude of the achievement is still sinking in. "I don’t quite know where to start. I can’t believe we are in this position right now," she said during the trophy ceremony, her voice reflecting a mixture of disbelief and joy. "First of all, I’d like to thank our opponents for such a great match. You guys had such an amazing week, so congrats. Peersy, [thanks] for wanting to play with me again this year. Thank you so much for letting me share the court with you. To hold the trophy again this year is incredible. I knew we could do it, but I didn’t think we could really do it, if you know what I mean!"

The Australian pair entered the final as wild cards, just as they did during their breakthrough run the previous year. Their journey to the title was anything but straightforward. The opening set saw a flurry of breaks—five in total—with both teams struggling to hold serve under the pressure. Mladenovic and Guinard surged ahead to a 5-2 lead, capitalizing on a string of uncharacteristic errors from Peers. Despite a brief rally by the Australians, the French team sealed the set 6-4 when Peers sent a shot wide on set point.

Momentum shifted in the second set. Peers found his range on serve, and Gadecki’s aggressive returns began to pay dividends. They broke the French team in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead, then consolidated to 4-1 by winning 13 of the next 15 points. The Australians held their nerve to close out the set 6-3, leveling the match and setting up a tense match tiebreak.

In the decider, both teams traded points in a see-saw battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. The French pair edged ahead 7-5, threatening to spoil the party for the home crowd. But Gadecki and Peers, drawing on their experience and chemistry, stormed back by winning five of the final six points. At 9-7, Peers served for the championship. Guinard, under immense pressure, sent a backhand into the net, and the Australians erupted in celebration.

Peers, a 37-year-old Melbourne native and former No. 2 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, was quick to share the credit. "I’m sort of speechless. Thank you for playing with me again this week, and somehow we sort of snuck away with this one. It’s been so much fun sharing the court with you and enjoying every moment out here," he told Gadecki, his gratitude evident. With his wife Danielle and two young daughters watching from the stands, the moment was especially poignant. "Any chance I have to play in front of them is really special. To be able to have them up in the crowd’s fantastic, and, just gives me that little bit extra drive ... unfortunately we don’t get to have them every week on the road so to be able to do this at home in front of them and share it with them, it doesn’t get any better."

The victory adds to Peers’ already impressive resume, which includes three major mixed doubles titles—two at the Australian Open with Gadecki and one at the 2022 US Open with fellow Australian Storm Sanders. He also captured the Australian Open men’s doubles crown in 2017. For Gadecki, this is her second Grand Slam mixed doubles title, both achieved alongside Peers at Melbourne Park.

The French pair, meanwhile, were aiming to become the first French duo to win the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open. Mladenovic, an accomplished doubles specialist with six Grand Slam women’s doubles titles and three previous mixed doubles crowns—including Wimbledon 2013, Australian Open 2014, and Australian Open 2022—paid tribute to her opponents. "Winning a Grand Slam once is very difficult but defending it is even harder ... big congrats to you!" she said, acknowledging the Australians’ rare achievement.

Gadecki and Peers’ path to the final was not without challenges. As wild cards, they had to navigate a tricky draw, overcoming seasoned opponents and handling the weight of home expectations. Their ability to remain composed under pressure—especially after dropping the first set in the final and trailing in the match tiebreak—speaks volumes about their partnership and mental toughness.

Reflecting on their back-to-back triumphs, Gadecki admitted, "It’s just as good as last year, if not better. I would say it’s pretty incredible to be back-to-back Grand Slam winners. Even just saying it out loud is crazy, and I’m still trying to kind of comprehend it, but it’s so nice to get it at home, in front of friends and family."

Peers, looking ahead, did not rule out another run in 2027. "I’d love to say yes," he said when asked about a potential three-peat. "Hopefully we don’t need a wildcard but if we do hopefully Tennis Australia can give us another one." The duo’s chemistry, resilience, and flair have made them fan favorites and a formidable force on the doubles circuit.

The historic victory also shines a spotlight on Australian tennis, with fellow countrymen Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans preparing for the men’s doubles final. Their success is inspiring a new generation of players and fans alike, eager to see more homegrown talent on the world stage.

As the celebrations continue, Gadecki and Peers can savor their place in the record books. Their remarkable achievement—a second straight Australian Open mixed doubles title—cements their legacy as one of the tournament’s most memorable pairings. With the prospect of a three-peat looming, the Australian duo’s story is far from over.