AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 29, 2026

Jason Kubler

Marc Polmans

Press Conference

KUBLER-POLMANS/Johnson-Zielinski

6-2, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: As you've moved deeper into the tournament, how has your belief as a team grown?

JASON KUBLER: I feel like as each match is going on, we're gelling more and getting more comfortable with each other. Maybe at the beginning, you know, it obviously is the first time we've played together, so we're still trying to, at the beginning, anyways, learn what each other likes, what they don't like, if they like to go big in some situations, maybe play more percentages.

But yeah, no, today I think was a good example of, you know, Markey helping me out a little bit when I needed it. No, we've been doing very well. Looking forward to the final now.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Jason has been in this situation before. It's all brand new territory for you. Speak of your excitement and thrills of being in this situation.

MARC POLMANS: Yeah, mate, I'm pretty pumped to be in the final. I mean, we had a very close first-round match, being down 4-1 against the Special Ks in the third. Didn't expect to go this far.

So me and Jason are just enjoying the roller-coaster ride we're on at the moment, but yeah, I'm really enjoying playing with Jason and to be here still at the AO. I lost earlier in the qualifying in the singles, so it's nice to be extending my stay here in the AO.

Q. Jase, how different or similar does it feel this time compared to '23?

JASON KUBLER: For me personally, it feels a little bit different just because I'm on the different side now. So I would say when I'm playing on the deuce side, you're obviously playing the points. Maybe I'm swinging a little bit more freer or not thinking about it as much, where on the ad I'm thinking a little bit more about the situation.

So that's probably one thing I didn't take into account, but I'm playing with two -- both times playing with two great guys, two guys that want to leave it all out there, two guys that when it's going to get tough, they're going to keep fighting.

So in that way, it's actually been quite easy for me both times. Just sort of ride the wave they're bringing and just try and go for it.

Q. Maddy was in the stands seemingly riding absolutely every point that you guys were playing out there. How great has it been to have her support?

JASON KUBLER: Yeah, well, I guess I didn't see her that much doing all that, but then I saw the post of all the different facial reactions, so that's pretty funny. But I knew Maddy is like that. We could be watching -- say, tonight we're watching the women semifinals, and she'll be like that in the lounge room. She loves watching tennis and always rides the matches regardless.

I assume because I'm playing, she's probably a little bit more emotional, I guess, but yeah, when I saw that, I thought that was funny and also cute at the same time.

Q. It sounds like she's kitted out her kitchen with her winner's check from the Open. Do you have any plans to shout her something if you win, or do you have anything that you want to shout yourself?

JASON KUBLER: No, I don't know. She's doing very well with all that stuff. I'm honestly just really focused on me and Markey's doubles. If we were to get one more, then we can start making requests about everything, you know, but right now the main objective for us is to -- obviously we have the day off tomorrow -- prepare well and get ready for the final.

Q. Jase, you said on the court in the interview that you felt that Marc carried you a bit the second set. Is that one of the beauties of doubles? If you are having a bit of an off day, you can make it your day next time, but you can have your mate help you out when maybe your serve is not your best at times?

JASON KUBLER: Yeah, definitely. That's the great thing about doubles is it's teamwork, you know? Some days I won't be feeling it, like today, and then Markey really stepped up. I'm sure there will be other times when maybe Markey doesn't feel it as much and I've got to step up.

I think this whole tournament for us we've shown just a great team, how good of a team we are. I feel like we definitely complement each other's games. I think I said in one of the interviews, when Markey's at the net and I'm at the baseline, I feel so confident that we can win that point. It's honestly been so fun playing with Markey and kind of easy at the same time, if that makes sense.

Q. Marc, what are you expecting from your opponents in the final? Obviously Neal and Christian are both seeded, experienced pair as well. What are you expecting there?

MARC POLMANS: Yeah, I think it's going to be a good final, good final match. I think both players, Christian and Neal, have been on the doubles tour for quite a while, so like you said, they're very experienced. Jason and I are expecting a good, fun battle.

But we're just going to try to stick to how we've been playing. Neal and Christian are going to bring their best game, so it's going to be a fun final, I think, yeah.

Q. Jase, having been in this situation before, have you offered suggestions, advice to Marc about being in such a situation?

JASON KUBLER: Not yet. No, I don't think I have too much advice to give. Yeah, I did play the final with Rinks, which was awesome, but I think they said in the interview today Markey has made four semis, four semis here.

Yeah, maybe he hasn't played a final, but he's gone deep plenty of times here. So I think the most important thing for us is just go out there with a lot of energy, really try and dig deep and fight through, and hopefully it all goes well.