Britain celebrated a remarkable double triumph at the US Open on Saturday, as Alfie Hewett reclaimed the wheelchair singles crown and Neal Skupski finally captured the men’s doubles title. Both victories were laden with emotion and narrative, underscoring the resilience and determination that have defined their seasons.
Hewett’s win was a dramatic, tear‑filled affair. After dispatching Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda with a 6‑0, 7‑6 (7‑5) scoreline, the 28‑year‑old British champion broke down in tears, having denied Oda the chance to complete a calendar‑year Grand Slam. Oda, only 20, had already bested Hewett in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year, making this reversal all the more poignant.
Reflecting on his journey, Hewett spoke candidly about the mental and emotional work that preceded his victory. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting,” he said. He recalled the sting of his Wimbledon loss, describing it as “a tough one to swallow” and admitting that the defeat forced him to take a break and confront his own expectations.
“I definitely came away from that one with a lot of regret, took some time off and had a hard, long look in the mirror about who I wanted to be on the tennis court and how I wanted to show up,” he explained. Hewett emphasized that his focus on the day of the final was not on the result but on embodying a more authentic version of himself. “Today I didn’t care about the outcome.
It was about being a little bit more like ‘Alfie’ and showing the fight and showing the grit and the desire to go out and play a bit more fearless. I think the performance showed that,” he added. This mindset paid off, delivering his fifth US Open singles title, his first since 2023, and complementing the doubles trophy he secured alongside Gordon Reid the previous day. In the men’s doubles final, the British‑American pairing of Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison overcame Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz with a straight‑sets victory, 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6).
The win was especially sweet for Skupski, who had been a runner‑up at Flushing Meadows twice before – once with Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and again with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023. “I’m still in shock,” Skupski, 36, admitted. “Losing twice and having match points last year was a tough part of my career, but it’s amazing what a year does in tennis. This moment feels so special.” The trophy presentation was handled by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his American partner Bruno Soares, who marked the 10th anniversary of their own triumph at the venue.
Their presence highlighted the continuity of excellence that the US Open has fostered over the past decade. Harrison, who was playing only his second tournament with Skupski after their Australian Open triumph in January, expressed awe at the rapid accumulation of titles.
“It’s been a great year,” he said. “To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home.” Their success also placed them in an exclusive club: they became the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to claim both the Australian and Wimbledon crowns in the same calendar year.
Beyond the British victories, the tournament featured several headline‑making moments. Alexander Zverev issued a bold statement, proclaiming himself the world’s best player as he prepared to face Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Zverev also ended Ben Sutton’s run, securing a four‑set win that propelled him toward the men’s final. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina cemented her ascent to world No. 1 by dethroning two‑time champion Aryna Sabalenka in New York.
The US Open continues to draw global attention, with live coverage on Sky Sports starting August 30. Fans can stream matches without a contract via NOW or the Sky Sports App, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast from The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also on Sky Sports. Overall, the weekend’s results underscored the depth of talent and the emotional narratives that make Grand Slam tennis compelling.
Hewett’s emotional redemption and Skupski’s long‑awaited triumph will be remembered as defining moments of the 2026 US Open, illustrating how perseverance, introspection, and partnership can ultimately translate into championship glory.