Wowsers! This is absolutely great news! This Asian Aussie duo of Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler have taken the Australian Open Men’s Doubles Tennis title for 2023. They won in straight sets against Monaco’s Hugo Nys and Poland’s Jan Zieliński 6-4, 7-6, who were the favourites to take the title.
Both Hijikata and Kubler paired up for the first time at the Australian Open and were wildcards coming into the tournament. They pretty much breezed through and won against 3 top 10 cedes including top ranked Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski during the quarter finals.
FYI – this is also their maiden grand slam and only officially became a professional pair in March, 2022. Since they started to play as a duo, they have won the Metz trophy last season and reached the US Open quarter-finals – so the Australian Open is their first major grand slam win!
Both players are under 30 years old – Hijikata only 21 and Kubler 29 years old. Kubler was also the former world #1 junior tennis player. Hijikata comes from a Japanese background, and Kubler’s mother is Filipina.
How awesome is this win and something worthy to celebrate as both Asian Australians and as Australians!
Congrats boys!
Images via Facebook