Aussie Mixed Doubles Team Nears End of 37-Year Title Drought

As the Australian Open progresses, excitement builds around the mixed doubles team from Australia, Gadecki and Peers. They are on the brink of breaking a 37-year title drought for Australian pairs in this category.

Aussie Mixed Doubles Team Nears Title History

Gadecki and Peers are aiming to defend their mixed doubles title successfully. If they achieve this, they will be the first to do so at the Australian Open since 1989. That year, Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh accomplished the feat. Moreover, Gadecki and Peers would become the first all-Australian duo to win back-to-back titles since Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher did so 62 years ago.

Upcoming Final Match

In the championship match, they will face the French duo of Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard. Peers expressed the excitement of being on the verge of such significant achievements. “It’s incredible. When you start hearing some of those records, you pinch yourself a little bit,” he mentioned.

Dabrowski and Stefani’s Inspiring Journey

Meanwhile, Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani, dubbed ‘Stefanowski,’ have also reached the semifinals against the seventh seeds. This setback follows a tough period filled with injuries and health issues. Stefani has recently recovered effectively from an ACL tear, while Dabrowski battled breast cancer, diagnosed in April 2024. Together again, they’ve reached a Grand Slam semifinal, their first since the US Open in 2021.

• Dabrowski and Stefani upset No. 3 seeds Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko.
• The match concluded with scores of 6-1, 7-6(5).
• Stefani noted it was her best condition in years and expressed joy at competing in Australia.

Dabrowski reflected on their meaningful partnership, emphasizing their bond forged through adversity. “It’s such a beautiful and special thing to play doubles with one of your closest friends,” she said.

Next Challenge

They will next play against Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic, who secured their spot in the semifinals by defeating the top seeds, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend. The match concluded with the underdogs winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-0.

Dabrowski acknowledges the competitive spirit of their upcoming opponents, emphasizing the need to bring their best game. “They’re a really good, tricky team,” she stated. “We expect a great battle and a great level.”

As the Australian Open unfolds, the anticipation for both Gadecki and Peers, as well as Dabrowski and Stefani, continues to rise. The possibility of breaking longstanding records in the mixed doubles category adds a unique thrill to the tournament.