Twelve months ago, Marc Polmans was scrapping it out on the World Tennis (formerly ITF) circuit, featuring in singles tournaments across Europe.
Despite his previous doubles success, the Victorian was still four months away from competing in his next match, having not played since Australian Open 2025.
However, a reinvigorated Polmans has graced the court in 2026. Claiming a Challenger title with Rinky Hijikata in Sydney on his return to doubles in November 2025 provided the 29-year-old with the confidence to take his game to the next level.
With a 30-16 record in the tandem format this season, Polmans has cracked the top 50 for the first time and ultimately become Australian No.1. This included his first tour-level title with Monte Carlo's Romain Arenodo in Geneva last month.
In a partnership with Hijikata at Wimbledon, an opportunity for redemption is motivating each player in the quest for Grand Slam silverware.
With both reaching Grand Slam finals in the last 12 months – Polmans at AO 2026 and Hijikata at Wimbledon 2025 – the Australians ignited their 2026 campaign at the All England Club with conviction on Wednesday.
The duo prevailed against German 16th seeds Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner 7-6(1) 6-7(4) 7-6(7).
Despite a tight match on the scoreboard, victory was never out of reach for Polmans and Hijikata, with the Australians dropping just five points on serve in the final set.
They are two of four Australians who have already progressed to the second round of doubles at SW19, with six players yet to play their opening matches.
John-Patrick Smith teamed with Brazilian Fernando Romboli to defeat Poland’s Karol Drzewiecki and Kamil Majchrzak.
After securing an alternate spot with American Aleksandar Kovacevic, Thanasi Kokkinakis won his first doubles match at Wimbledon in nine years.
The women’s doubles commences on Thursday with seeded Australians Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez leading the charge with their respective partners.
Kimberly Birrell and Talia Gibson will compete together, while Maya Joint will play with Ekaterina Alexandrova, with whom she claimed the Abu Dhabi doubles title.
Polmans also leads the mixed doubles field, teaming up with Hunter in a bid to become the first all-Australian duo to win the crown since John Fitzgerald and Liz Smylie in 1991.
John Peers received a wildcard alongside Great Britain's Katie Swan – who is fondly considered by some as an honorary Australian given her off-court partnership wtih Alex Bolt – while Perez has paired with Portugal’s Francisco Cabral.
You can watch Wimbledon 2026 on the channels of the Nine Network and Stan Sport.
Aussies in action: Wimbledon
RESULTS – Day 3
Men’s doubles, first round
Rinky Hijikata (AUS)/Marc Polmans (AUS) d [16] Jakob Schnaitter (GER)/Mark Wallner (GER) 7-6(1) 6-7(4) 7-6(7)
John-Patrick Smith (AUS)/Fernando Romboli (BRA) d Karol Drzewiecki (POL)/Kamil Majchrzak (POL) 5-7 7-6(9) 7-6(8)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA) d Maximo Gonzalez (ARG)/Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) 5-7 7-6(7) 6-2
[6] Marcelo Arevalo (SLV)/Mate Pavic (CRO) d Alexander Bublik (KAZ)/Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 6-3 6-4
COMING UP
Men’s doubles, first round
Robert Galloway (USA)/John Peers (AUS) v [2] Marcel Granollers (ESP)/Horacio Zeballos (ARG) – First match, Court 5
Women’s doubles, first round
Ekaterina Alexandrova/Maya Joint (AUS) v Veronika Erjavec (SLO)/Petra Marcinko (CRO) – Fourth match, Court 15
[9] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Demi Schuurs (NED) v Miyu Kato (JPN)/Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB)
[14] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Caty McNally (USA) v Anna Bondar (HUN)/Magdalena Frech (POL)
Kimberly Birrell (AUS)/Talia Gibson (AUS) v [WC] Freya Christie (GBR)/Eden Silva (GBR)
Mixed doubles, first round
Marc Polmans (AUS)/Storm Hunter (AUS) v Theo Arribage (FRA)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA)
Francisco Cabral (POR)/Ellen Perez (AUS) v David Pel (NED)/Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR)
[WC] John Peers (AUS)/Katie Swan (GBR) v Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)/Laura Siegemund (GER)
Men’s doubles, second round
Rinky Hijikata (AUS)/Marc Polmans (AUS) v Adam Pavlasek (CZE)/Patrik Rikl (CZE)
John-Patrick Smith (AUS)/Fernando Romboli (BRA) v TBC
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA) v TBC