Underdog Glory: Rinky Hijikata Stuns to Reach Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Final
In one of the most dramatic stories of Wimbledon 2025, Australian tennis player Rinky Hijikata, partnered with the Netherlands’ David Pel, has reached the men’s doubles final—all while entering the tournament as third alternates and having barely spoken as a pair before.
A Fairytale Semi-final
Facing the world No. 1 seeds Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić, Hijikata and Pel delivered an extraordinary performance on Court No 1. After dropping the first set 6–7(2), they stormed back to win the next two in tight tie-breaks: 7–6(7–5), 7–6(11–9), saving two match points in the final set before sealing the victory with a ferocious forehand crosscourt winner. Hijikata recounted how he “couldn’t even hear if it was in or out with the crowd going nuts” (News.com.au).
This semi-final lasted nearly three hours, highlighting not only the physical endurance but mental resilience of the underdog pairing .
From Alternates to Contenders
The duo’s journey is the latest in a series of improbable feats. Hijikata, who won the 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles title with Jason Kubler, and his partner Pel didn’t initially make the Wimbledon draw—they got in only after two teams withdrew (News.com.au).
Their run through the tournament has seen them save match points not just in the semi-finals but also in earlier rounds, including a must-win super tie-break in the first round against seeded opponents Andre Göransson and Sem Verbeek, followed by upsets over higher-seeded teams in the third round and quarter-finals (Tennis Australia).
A Legendary Final Awaits
On Saturday, Hijikata and Pel will face Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash—an all‑British pairing—in the men’s doubles final on Centre Court. The winners will claim a £1.4 million prize, split between the two players (News.com.au).
This matchup not only pits hope against experience but also offers a chance for Hijikata to capture his second Grand Slam doubles final in just over two years—and perhaps even his second major title.
Australian Impact at Wimbledon
Hijikata’s success comes as part of an important moment for Australian tennis: for the first time since 2005, Australians are competing in both men’s and women’s doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon. On the women’s side, Olivia Gadecki, alongside partner Desirae Krawczyk, reached the semis with a commanding victory, underscoring Australia’s doubles depth this year (News.com.au).
Hijikata’s previous Grand Slam win at the Australian Open in 2023—with Jason Kubler—also came under unlikely circumstances: they were wildcard entries and had never played together before that tournament (BBC). Now, he’s replicating the miracle-like run, this time as an alternate team at Wimbledon.
✍️ Hijikata on the Run
Reflecting on the journey, Hijikata has maintained a refreshingly relaxed mindset: “We’re just enjoying ourselves out there… no expectations… swing away… whatever happens, happens.” (FOX SPORTS, Tennis Australia).
That attitude, combined with clutch shot-making and unflappable composure, has carried them from near exclusion to the brink of tennis history.
Final Preview
| Match-up | Status |
|---|---|
| Finalists | Rinky Hijikata (AUS) & David Pel (NED) vs Julian Cash & Lloyd Glasspool (GBR) |
| Occasion | Men’s doubles final, Wimbledon 2025 |
| Date & Time | Saturday; Centre Court; local time likely morning UK / early Eastern U.S. (University of North Carolina Athletics) |
| Stakes | £1.4M (approx. A$2.6M) up for the winning pair |
What It Means
Should Hijikata and Pel win, it will be a landmark victory for alternate-entry teams—rare at any level of tennis, let alone in a Grand Slam. It would mark Australia’s first men’s doubles Wimbledon title since the days of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde (“The Woodies”), and confirm Hijikata as a rising doubles force.
No matter the outcome, their Wimbledon run is already cemented as one of the most unforgettable underdog stories in recent memory—proof that in tennis, opportunity and belief can be just as powerful as ranking or reputation.
