John Peers and Matt Ebden become the new Olympic golden boys of Australian tennis at Roland Garros – and nobody was supporting them harder than Peers’ daughter Ellie in the stands.
The two unseeded 36-year-old veterans, stalwarts of the doubles scene for so long, enjoyed a late-career crowning moment as they rallied to beat American fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-1) [10-8] in a nail-biting doubles gold medal match on Saturday.
They became the only Australian gold medallists in Olympic tennis after ‘The Woodies’, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde lifted the 1996 title in the same event in Atlanta.
Between them, Peers and Ebden have won a hatful of titles, including grand slams, but they’d never had a moment quite like this.
Their wives and kids were on hand to hug them on Court Philippe Chatrier, one of the world’s great tennis amphitheatres, after they prevailed in three tie-breaks in the most entertaining of showdowns.
Footage of daughter Ellie, 7, in the stands with her fingers crossed went viral, with fans loving the heartmelting support.
‘This was such a thrilling match to watch. Such an impressive win by these two. John Peers’ daughter made me tear up just a little,’ wrote one fan on Twitter.
‘I think that cutie is Peers’ daughters with her fingers crossed wishing for dad to get gold. Beautiful,’ said another.
Australia claimed its first gold medal in men’s doubles since 1996 with Matt Ebden and John Peers winning a thrilling encounter
Peers’ daughter Ellie (pictured) captured the hearts of those watching at home
‘John Peers’ daughters are so cute,’ posted a third.
Asked if it was his best tennis moment, Ebden smiled: ‘It probably is. Winning slams, winning Wimbledon, we’ve been into the Davis Cup finals the last couple of years …. but I mean, the Olympics? Gold? Really?
‘It only comes around once every four years and even just to play it is ridiculous. To win a gold medal, I think it’s like folklore. It’s beyond me.’
And to do it with Peers, a Melburnian buddy who now lives a street away from him in Perth, with their wives and children having become the best of friends too, it was all extra special.
Ellie was nervous with fingers crossed watching her dad from the stands
Peers said he hopes he can inspire his daughters to dream big
‘Some miracle work has happened and somehow we’ve now got a gold medal for our streets,’ beamed Ebden.
The kids were lifted onto the court afterwards to celebrate with their dads – with Peers saying he hopes to inspire his pair.
‘I know from a young age, looking up and watching all the Aussie athletes, it didn’t matter what the sport was – Olympics, Boxing Day Test, footy, I loved watching sport and you’d dream big and decide that’s what you want to do,’ Peers said.
‘Hopefully I can instil a little bit of that into my girls. Hopefully they can dream big one day and know the sky’s the limit for them.
‘They can do anything they put their mind to.’
