How 'proud' Aussie wildcard overcame 'heartache'

1 year ago 68

In a triumph implicit adversity, Australian wildcard Jason Kubler progressed to the 2nd circular of his location expansive slam for the archetypal clip connected Monday afternoon.

Thirteen years aft contesting his archetypal Melbourne major, and pursuing six genu surgeries, the 29-year-old defeated Argentina's Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 astatine John Cain Arena.

When Kubler won lucifer constituent to acceptable up a showdown against Karen Khachanov, commentator Adam Peacock said Kubler had encountered "more heartache than you could imagine".

FOLLOW LIVE: Australian Open 2023 time one

"What an astonishing story, really," added American tennis manager Brad Stine successful commentary.

Kubler's ATP ranking crashed retired of the apical 1000 during his injury-plagued years, but he's present got a career-high ranking of 84.

The Queenslander has besides won 4 of his past 5 matches, each successful the past 3 weeks.

Watch the Australian Open unrecorded and escaped connected the Nine Network: Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now.

"I'm arrogant of myself," Kubler said successful his property conference.

"I wasn't definite past twelvemonth if I'd beryllium successful this situation. Then benignant of with my twelvemonth past year, I was capable to triumph a circular astatine the French, the US Open, past person that beauteous peculiar tally for maine astatine Wimbledon (when helium reached the circular of 16).

Kubler 'super happy' with breakthrough AO win

"It's benignant of chill (that in) ... the past 4 expansive slams I've been capable to triumph a lucifer successful (the) main draw.

"If anything, I'm much arrogant of that, but besides to beryllium capable to play successful beforehand of the Australian crowd. I haven't truly had the accidental to bash that.

"I deliberation it's astir similar 18 months present injury-free. That's astir apt the main thing. I'm getting much assurance by staying retired connected the court."

Baez is ranked 44th and has 1 ATP rubric to his name, having defeated Frances Tiafoe successful the last of past year's Estoril Open successful Portugal.

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!