AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 25, 2026

Olivia Gadecki

John Peers

Press Conference

GADECKI-PEERS/Siegemund-Roger-Vasselin

6-3, 3-6, 10-5

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations for making it to the next round. Could you walk us through your thoughts on the match.

OLIVIA GADECKI: Thank you. I'd love to start.

Yeah, we had a great match today. John and I played really well. We, yeah, went out there, played our game.

You know, our opponents came out really, really well, too. And, I don't know, I just thought we competed well and did what we did best. Just gelled and see, yeah, what the outcome was. But it was a good match.

Q. How does it feel coming in as defending champions? Do you feel any added pressure or you feel like you're building good form to defend your title this year?

JOHN PEERS: Definitely no more pressure. It's always great fun to play back home, to get the home crowd energy, family, friends in the crowd. We don't get to do it that often. So anytime we get a chance to do it, it's definitely no added pressure. It's just you enjoy it more. And that's what we play here for. The crowd got going again today, which was fantastic. It's good fun, really.

Q. What was your first emotion when you saw that you won?

JOHN PEERS: Is that to me or Olivia?

Q. Both.

OLIVIA GADECKI: I was just ecstatic, I would say. You know, we get another chance to go out, I don't know if tomorrow or Tuesday, and play another match and in front of the home crowd. To share the court with John is pretty incredible. Yeah, just ecstatic.

JOHN PEERS: It was good fun seeing you guys up there with a big smile on your face.

Q. What is it that makes you two gel so well as a mixed doubles team? Is there something specific about your games that sort of matches it well together?

JOHN PEERS: I feel like we've done a good job from the word go just to lean on each other at the right times and sort of feel comfortable from the word go.

You feel very early in a partnership, I feel like, whether you are going to gel and enjoy it out there or whether it just doesn't quite work.

I feel like from the word go we've had a pretty good partnership and we've been able to just sort of steady and just get into matches straightaway.

We've been able to execute so far and rely on each other really well and just combine well which has been fantastic.

No, we've been able to keep it rolling and keep enjoying it, and that's what we've been doing so far and it's been working so why stop.

Q. Thanasi was saying he's not gong to be able to make Davis Cup with his shoulder injury. Have you had any discussions with Lleyton about potential selection for Davis Cup?

JOHN PEERS: Not yet. That will be up to Lleyton to decide. If he gives me a call, I'll put my hand up. But we'll see what unfolds.

It is unfortunate for Thanasi because he's worked so hard to get back. He's put himself in a position to really try and push forward this year. So hopefully it's only a minor setback for him. We'll see how it unfolds. If not, the boys that get selected, they'll be ready to go.

Q. You both participated in a little mixed doubles exhibition before the start of the tournament. Can you talk a little bit about that and how beneficial that was both sort of from sort of playing with each other again but also in terms of bringing the crowds in.

JOHN PEERS: Yeah, I mean, I thought it was great. I mean, a few little tweaks that probably need to be made to just really just find its whereabouts, where it needs to be. But I thought the idea of having a mixed event like that on that kids' day was fantastic.

They do so many other great initiatives the first week to able to bring the players in, but also a lot of fans, and bring a lot more interaction as well, which is fantastic.

I think the more we can grow doubles and tennis as a whole, and I think that's a big aspect we've got to probably push, which we probably haven't quite done as well, is great for the game. And the more times we can do that and get that out there is fantastic.

Q. Olivia, you're more than holding your own today in the doubles. I know how experienced John is. Do you draw on John's experience in doubles and have you sort of learnt or feel like your game's improved just from watching him play or playing with him or playing together?

OLIVIA GADECKI: Yeah, for sure. I mean I've pulled up a bit sore with my back after last night. Just joking (smiling).

No, I really enjoy playing with John. He calls the shots, and I just try and execute. I really enjoy that.

Yeah, he's got so much experience. You know, I try and tap into that any chance I get. But no, he's great, he gives me advice and just tells me to back myself. Yeah, it's really comforting.