Tennis star Matt Ebden toying with dream of Brisbane Olympics, hopes to team up with John Peers again

West Australian tennis star Matt Ebden says he has “toyed with the dream” of playing in a home Olympics in Brisbane on top of a gold medal defence in Los Angeles. Ebden was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Saturday after bringing home the gold in Paris last year, alongside Olympic doubles partner and fellow honouree John Peers. The pair combined to win Australia’s first men’s doubles tennis gold since Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge in 1996. They have also had success apart, with Ebden winning the 2024 Australian Open men’s doubles crown with India’s Rohan Bopanna, while Peers achieved the same feat in the mixed doubles with compatriot Olivia Gadecki at this year’s tournament. Asked if he would be eager to team up with Peers again at the next Olympics, Ebden said: “Absolutely!”. “I can’t speak for John... I don’t know what his plans are or how his body is. But of course (I would),” he told The West Australian. “Absolutely. No doubt about it. We’d sign for it right now and try and re-attack another gold medal.” The Australian duo defeated Team USA’s Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek in straight sets in Paris. Ebden will be 40 when LA host the Olympic Games in July 2028 but is confident his body won’t let him down. The 37-year-old said he would then aim to go on until the Games return to Australian shores in 2032. “I’ve toyed with the dream of making it to the next Olympics in Brisbane after (LA),” he said. “Playing doubles now, my body has been really good, I’m fast, fit and healthy. “I only just stopped singles in the last few years so with doubles, I feel like I can play many more years physically. “You can’t take anything for granted and it’s a hell of a schedule mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s hard on family life too. “But in a perfect world, I’d play LA and try and do it (win gold) again there and maybe get to Brisbane.” After that, he would finally consider stepping away from the sport. “If I can get to Brisbane, maybe retire at the Brisbane Olympics. That would probably be time,” he joked. Ebden took out the Newcombe Medal in 2024, sharing Australia tennis’ top honour with Alex De Minaur, after reaching the doubles world No.1 ranking throughout the year. A first-round exit in this year’s Australian Open, having paired up with Germany’s Joran Vliegen, was a disappointing start to 2025. After the Open defeat, Ebden took to social media to declare he was “more motivated to work harder than ever and get going for the year ahead.”