Shattered star's nod to grandpa dulls Aussie glory

1 year ago 72

As section brace Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata basked successful glory aft winning the Australian Open men's doubles last connected Saturday night, 1 of their defeated opponents cried portion reflecting connected his grandfather.

After Monaco's Hugo Nys and Poland's Jan Zielinski suffered a 6-4, 7-6 (4) decision astatine Rod Laver Arena, the erstwhile addressed the assemblage successful affectional scenes.

"I request a moment," Nys said arsenic helium welled up.

"My gramps was a subordinate successful the '50s and helium passed distant successful 2017.

"Yeah, I conscionable wanted to bash it for him, but adjacent time, I guess."

The solemn code enactment a dampener connected a fairytale nighttime enjoyed by Kubler and Hijikata, who won the tourney contempt being wildcards.

They replicated the heroics of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, who reinvigorated doubles tennis with their magnificent play and outlandish antics en way to conquering past year's Australian Open.

Kubler laughed astir however acold helium and Hijikata had travel arsenic a duo successful the past mates of weeks.

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

"Rinky and I decidedly didn't deliberation this was happening 2 weeks ago, truthful a spot of a pleasant surprise, I should say," Kubler said.

Aussie duo prehend 'fairytale' AO crown

"I've got to convey Rinky. He was really the crushed we teamed up for this tournament. I wasn't definite if I was going to play oregon not, and past Rinky asked maine and I decided to play. Geez, 2 weeks aboriginal present we person this trophy. Big convey you to Rinky.

"And also, Rinky's lone 21 and a expansive slam champion now, truthful he's got a large aboriginal up of him. Hopefully helium continues to win successful singles oregon doubles — immoderate helium chooses to play."

Hijikata showed his appreciation for the tremendous assemblage enactment during the pair's imagination run.

"To everyone who's travel retired this full 2 weeks ... it's been ridiculous," Hijikata said.

"I've ne'er experienced thing similar it and I anticipation I tin much successful the future, truthful convey you precise overmuch everyone for the past 2 weeks."

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