By Hanlon Walsh
Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson continued their River Oaks doubles dominance on Saturday night by claiming back-to-back doubles titles at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. US Men’s Clay Court Championships. The fourth seeds defeated American Will Blumberg and Australian John Peers in a straightforward 7-5, 6-1 contest in just over an hour.
With the win, they become the first doubles team to successfully defend their title since Bob and Mike Bryan in 2009-2011. Purcell, who owns a lifetime 12-0 record at River Oaks, also ties the Bryans’ record by winning three consecutive titles. In addition to his pair of trophies with Thompson, he won the 2022 US Clay doubles title with Aussie Matt Ebden.
For someone who jokingly considers doubles as “free money”, Purcell is already inking his place in ATP doubles record books at the ripe age of 26.
“It’s a pretty special third birthday this year for me in Houston; I haven’t ever lost a doubles match here at River Oaks,” Purcell exclaimed in his on-court championship speech. “You guys make it so special for us and Jordan and I have really felt at home out here all week. This is the best of the best as far as the U.S. tournaments go. You guys treat the players so fantastic and it’s a great way to finish the American swing.”
The Aussie doubles duo has been one of the most in-form doubles teams on tour this year. They have won three titles in North America during the first three months of the 2024 season and have a 17-3 record this year. In addition to Houston, they notched tournament victories in February at the Dallas Open and Los Cabos Open.
For Purcell, the occasion marks his seventh ATP career doubles title with three different Aussie partners - Thompson, Ebden and Rinky Hijikata (2023 Tokyo). For Thompson, it marks his 5th career doubles title - four alongside Purcell and one with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis (2017 Brisbane).
“Maxy - thanks for carrying me here all week,” added Thompson during the trophy ceremony. “Special thanks to Bronwyn, Haley and the tournament staff here. This tournament is special and probably one of the best of the American swing. Big thanks to my coach Ryan [Harrison] as well. It’s a pretty good run we’ve had together with three doubles titles and one singles title already this year.”
Despite coming up short in Saturday’s final, Peers and Blumberg have positives to take from the week in their debut doubles partnership appearance. Peers, 35, is a 2013 U.S. clay doubles champion who made his first return to River Oaks since he won the title here 11 years ago. Blumberg, 26, reached his second ATP 250 doubles final of 2024 with two different partners. On both occasions, he came up short against Purcell and Thompson. By advancing to the finals, Blumberg is expected to tie his career-high ranking of No. 74.
Off the court, Blumberg also received a special River Oaks accolade. On Saturday, he was presented with the Ernest Langston Sportsmanship Trophy by Longston's grandson Jim Bayless. It is the 66th time the award has been presented at River Oaks and he is the 80th recipient of the honor.
Tournament officials presented a check for $25,000 to the Memorial Hermann Institute of Nursing Excellence on Saturday. The donation represents the proceeds from the tournament's "Ticket Turnback Program," which affords seat holders to donate tickets they will not be able to use back to the tournament to be resold with 100% of the resale price being donated to Memorial Hermann. The Nursing Institute ensures world class patient care by supporting innovation and research along with attracting and retaining top nursing talent.
Both Peers and Thompson were also effusive in their praise about their experience at River Oaks this year.
“Thanks to my partner, John, in our first week playing together,” Blumberg said. “I loved having a big crew of family and friends supporting me all week in Houston. Many thanks to Bronwyn and her team for all of your hard work this week. Playing golf here was also a personal bucket list dream for me, so I look forward to coming back here again next year.”
Look for both doubles teams to be title contenders and dangerous dark horses ahead of the European clay and grass swing in the coming months.
