Daughter of Australian gold medal hero wins hearts at Paris Olympics

John Peers and Matt Ebden have become the new Olympic stars of Australian tennis at Roland Garros. And no one cheered them on harder than Peers’ daughter Ellie in the stands.

The two unseeded 36-year-old veterans, who have been stalwarts in doubles for so long, enjoyed a career highlight when they bounced back to beat American fourth seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-1). [10-8] in an exciting doubles match for the gold medal on Saturday.

They became the only Australian gold medalists in Olympic tennis, after ‘The Woodies’, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, won the title in the same event in Atlanta in 1996.

Peers and Ebden have won a lot of titles together, including grand slams, but they had never experienced a moment like this.

Their wives and children were there to embrace them on Court Philippe Chatrier, one of the largest tennis amphitheatres in the world, after they won the most entertaining match ever with three tiebreaks.

Footage of daughter Ellie, 7, in the stands with her fingers crossed went viral, with fans overjoyed by the heartwarming support.

“This was such an exciting match to watch. Such an impressive win by these two. John Peers’ daughter made me cry a little,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“I think that treasure is Peers’ daughter who is crossing her fingers that daddy gets gold. Beautiful,” said another.

Australia claimed its first gold medal in the men’s doubles since 1996 with Matt Ebden and John Peers winning a thrilling encounter

Peers’ daughter Ellie (pictured) won the hearts of the spectators at home

“John Peers’ daughters are so cute,” posted a third.

Asked if this was his greatest tennis moment, Ebden smiled: ‘It probably is. Winning Grand Slams, winning Wimbledon, we’ve been to the Davis Cup final the last few years… but I mean, the Olympics? Gold? Really?

“It only happens once every four years and even just to play it is ridiculous. To win a gold medal, I think that’s folklore. It’s beyond me.”

And to do it with Peers, a friend from Melbourne who now lives down the street in Perth, and whose wives and children have also become best friends, made it all the more special.

Ellie was nervous and kept her fingers crossed as she watched her father from the stands

Peers said he hopes he can inspire his daughters to dream big

“A miracle has happened and somehow we now have a gold medal for our streets,” beamed Ebden.

Afterward, the children were lifted onto the field to celebrate with their fathers. Peers said he hopes to inspire his team.

“I knew from a young age, watching all the Australian athletes, that it didn’t matter what sport it was – the Olympics, the Boxing Day Test, football – I loved watching sport and you dreamed big and decided that’s what you wanted to do,” Peers said.

“Hopefully I can instill a little bit of that in my girls. Hopefully one day they can dream big and know that the sky is the limit for them.

“They can achieve anything if they just put their mind to it.”