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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Fil-Aussie Jason Kubler makes us proud -- POC chief Bambol Tolentino

Fil-Aussie Jason Kubler makes us proud -- POC chief Bambol Tolentino

Published Jan 29, 2023 04:14 pm

Filipino-Australian Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata clinched the men’s doubles title of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday, Jan. 28 -- a feat Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino said should make Filipinos proud.

Rinky Hijikata, left, of Australia and compatriot Jason Kubler pose with their winners trophy after defeating Hugo Nys of Monaco and Jan Zielinski of Poland in the men's doubles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. (AP)

“It’s something that we Filipinos -- and the POC -- should be proud of and cherish,” said Tolentino of the 29-year-old Kubler, son of a Philippine-born mother and an Australian father.

“We know that a part of him is Filipino and Jason showed that to the world,” Tolentino said. “We’re really proud of him for winning a grand slam title not only for Australians but also for his fellow Filipinos.”

The pair, playing for Australia, defeated Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski, 6-4, 7-6 (4), in the final at the Rod Laver Arena.

It was the first Grand Slam title for both Hijikata and Kubler—the third Australian team to win a men’s doubles title in the last five Grand Slams. They teamed up for the first time.

Kubler turned professional in 2008 but couldn’t pounce on a promising career because of a knee injury that forced him to play exclusively on clay.

Tolentino likened Kubler to Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who made the final of the US Open final in 2021 as an 18-year-old.

Related Tags

AUSTRALIAN OPEN Bambol Tolentino australian open men's doubles POC jason kubler
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