The pair were scheduled to play Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Nina Stojanovic in the bronze medal play-off but were awarded the win after world No.1 Djokovic withdrew from the match after his three-set singles loss to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta earlier in the day.

This is Australia’s first medal in tennis mixed doubles and the first Olympic bronze medal in tennis since women’s captain Alicia Molik won a bronze in singles in Athens 2004.

Twenty-five-year-old Barty who won Wimbledon only three weeks ago was rapt to walk away with the bronze on her Olympic debut.

"My goal was to come here and win a medal for Australia, and we've been able to do that. It's been an exceptionally positive experience for me,” Barty said.

"It seemed incredibly tough to Team Serbia to not be able to get on the court tonight, but for John and I it's a dream come true.

“To be able to take a bronze medal back home and add to the Australian tally is incredible."

Peers added: "After we got the news, it wasn't long before we both called family, shared the news with them, and they're all over the moon.

"We're not here for ourselves, we're here for Australia, we're here for our family. That's what makes it so special for us, we get on so well and our families are so close."

Barty has enjoyed her Olympic experience in Tokyo.

“For my personal first Olympic experience, obviously they were a very unique Games but we've absolutely made the most of it. We've enjoyed every single minute,” Barty added.

“The raw emotions that come out of a lot of the athletes, not just in tennis but across all disciplines... This is the pinnacle of sport for a lot of things.

“For Johnny and I to be able to share this, and be able to call ourselves a bronze medallist, is really, really cool.”

It has meant so much to Peers to represent Australia at two Olympics.

“If you actually just watch all the matches and (see the) raw emotions that come out of the Olympics, it’s so special for all of us to be here. And it means so much to represent our country.”

Barty and Peers will be presented their bronze medals after the mixed doubles final on Sunday afternoon.

Harriet Rendle

Results

Mixed doubles bronze medal play-off

• Ash Barty (AUS) / John Peers (AUS) d Novak Djokovic (SRB) / Nina Stojanovic (SRB) – walkover

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