Their doubles triumph, a bolt from the blue, gives Australia back-to-back men’s doubles titles at the country’s home slam after Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis came from the clouds last year
Australia’s dynamic duo Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata have followed in the footsteps of the Woodies and the country’s ‘Special K’ combination one year ago by charging to the 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles title.
In the final and best instalment of their magic carpet ride to a grand slam title, Kubler and Hijikata won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 , dropping only two sets en route to one of the unlikeliest of championships. Before Kyrgios and Kokkinakis played the role of ultimate crowd pleasers last January, the previous all-Australian men’s doubles combination to win in Melbourne was Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1997.
They will share a $695,000 cheque as doubles champions. It’s an enormous boost for Kubler, the world No.84 in singles.“I would almost say to an extent a career-changing thing. Hijikata was like an energiser bunny on court, drawing on the support from the fans to get them over the line at key moments.
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