The 2025 Wimbledon Championships witnessed a truly remarkable and unexpected journey in the men’s doubles, as Dutch tennis player David Pel and his Australian partner Rinky Hijikata, who entered the tournament as ‘alternates’, defied all odds to reach the final. Their inspiring run captivated audiences, culminating in a hard-fought championship match against British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.
David Pel, a seasoned doubles specialist from the Netherlands, born on July 9, 1991, has carved out a respectable career primarily on the ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Men’s circuit. With a career-high ATP doubles ranking of World No. 70 achieved on October 2, 2023, and a current ranking of No. 82 as of June 16, 2025, Pel has accumulated significant experience. He boasts one ATP doubles title, secured with Sander Arends at the 2021 Swedish Open, alongside an impressive 19 Challenger and 11 Futures doubles titles throughout his career. His journey to the Wimbledon final marks a significant highlight, showcasing his prowess on the grass courts. Pel is coached by Marc Duncker, having previously been trained by Dennis van Scheppingen from 2014 to 2021. (Source: Wikipedia)
The partnership between Pel and Hijikata was born out of serendipity. The two players had never spoken before signing in as alternates for the event, only gaining entry when another combination withdrew. Hijikata, a 24-year-old Sydneysider, vaguely recalled playing against Pel previously and remembered his big serve, left-handed play, and aptitude for grass courts. This casual observation led to their impromptu pairing, which, as Hijikata put it, “worked out unbelievably.” (Source: 7NEWS)
Their path to the final was nothing short of dramatic. In their very first round, the makeshift team saved two match points against the eighth seeds, Andre Goransson and Sem Verbeek, signaling their resilience early on. They continued their giant-killing spree by defeating the third seeds, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, in the third round. (Source: Wikipedia) The most thrilling victory came in the semi-finals against the top-seeded and world No. 1 duo, Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia. In a nail-biting encounter on No.1 Court, Pel and Hijikata emerged victorious with a score of 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (11-9). They famously saved two match points in the final set tiebreak at 9-7 down, with Hijikata sealing the deal with a brilliant running forehand winner cross-court. His post-match declaration, “I’ve got ice in my veins,” perfectly encapsulated their composure under pressure. (Source: 7NEWS) (Source: ABC News)
This remarkable semi-final win propelled them into the Wimbledon men’s doubles final, where they faced the formidable British pair, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool. Despite their incredible journey and fighting spirit, Pel and Hijikata ultimately fell short in the final, losing 2-6, 6-7(3-7). (Source: Wikipedia)
For Rinky Hijikata, this marked his second Grand Slam men’s doubles final, having previously won the Australian Open men’s doubles title in 2023 with fellow Australian Jason Kubler. (Source: 7NEWS) While the Wimbledon title eluded them, the unexpected success of David Pel and Rinky Hijikata as ‘alternates’ reaching a Grand Slam final will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most compelling stories of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, highlighting the unpredictable and thrilling nature of professional tennis.
