Fil-Aussie Kubler, Hijikata win doubles title

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-Australian Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata clinched the men’s doubles title of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday, a feat Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said should make Filipinos proud.

“It’s something that we Filipinos – and the POC – should be proud of and cherish,” said Tolentino of the 29-year-old Kubler, son of a Philippine-born mother and an Australian father.

“We know that a part of him is Filipino and Jason showed that to the world,” Tolentino said. “We’re really proud of him for winning a Grand Slam title not only for Australians but also for his fellow Filipinos.”

The pair, playing for Australia, defeated Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski, 6-4, 7-6 (4), in the final at the Rod Laver Arena.

The Australians did a celebratory chest bump and hugged tightly after defeating Nys of Monaco and Poland’s Zielinski to the delight of the home crowd.

It was the first Grand Slam title for both Hijikata and Kubler – the third Australian team to win a men’s doubles title in the last five Grand Slams. They teamed up for the first time.

“Rinky and I definitely didn’t think this was happening two weeks ago. Bit of a pleasant surprise,” said Kubler on court.

“I’ve got to thank Rinky, he was the reason we teamed up for this tournament. Two weeks later we’ve got this trophy.” Kubler turned professional in 2008 but couldn’t pounce on a promising career because of a knee injury that forced him to play exclusively on clay.

Tolentino likened Kubler to Filipino-Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez, who made the final of the US Open final in 2021 as an 18-year-old.