What started out as some fun for local duo Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova turned into an Australian Open mixed doubles grand slam title.
Playing in their first tournament together the Australians clinched the crown on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Czech pair Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak.
It was the first win by an all-Australian pair since Scott Draper and Samantha Stosur triumphed in 2005.
Mark Woodforde and Nicole Bradtke (nee Provis) are the only other local team to triumph at their home grand slam, back in 1992.
Despite their wildcard status South African-born Ebden and Slovakian-born Gajdosova looked the stronger pair early on and then locked in an early break in the second set.
The unseeded Czech duo fought back but the Australians broke Hradecka to lead 6-5 with Gajdosova serving out the match.
Ebden said he “chased down” Gajdosova late last year, despite her poor record of eight appearances in the Australian Open singles without a victory.
She did reach the semi-finals of the French Open mixed tournament in 2011.
Describing her as one of the best players on the women’s tour, Ebden’s confidence and calming influence allowed the erratic 25-year-old Victorian to play some of her best tennis, holding her own with her serve and power-packed ground-strokes.
“We had a lot of fun and it worked out amazingly,” said West Australian Ebden, also 25.
“We went out there to enjoy it from the first round and give our best and fight hard – but enjoy it as much as anything.
“As it got towards the quarter-finals, semi-finals, it became a bit more serious as we went and got a chance for a grand slam.
“You never know how many chances you’ll get to play a grand slam final so to come out with a win in our first final and get a title straightaway and to become grand slam champions is an amazing feeling and something we’ll always have.”
Gajdosova said their personalities and playing styles gelled better than they could have hoped.
“We use each other’s weapons we have and kind of cover up the weaknesses we have,” she said.
“So it was really good, and I hope this is not our last win and we get to play again.”
The pair hope to use this success as a springboard for their singles careers, with Ebden ranked 108 and Gajdosova, ranked 166.
Given a wildcard into this tournament, their future grand slam hopes rest on this – or further wildcards.
“I think if we had the choice we would take a grand slam in singles but you’ve got to start somewhere,” Ebden said.
“I think this will give us a lot confidence and a lot of experience to win a few matches.”