Britain celebrated a remarkable double triumph at the US Open on Saturday, as Alfie Hewett reclaimed his wheelchair singles crown and Neal Skupski finally captured the men’s doubles title. The day was filled with emotion, drama and a sense of redemption for both athletes, each of whom had faced setbacks earlier in the season.
Hewett’s victory was nothing short of cathartic. After a dominant first set in which he blanked Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda 6‑0, the match intensified in the second set.
Hewett edged the tiebreak 7‑5, sealing a 6‑0, 7‑6 win that not only earned him the championship but also denied Oda the chance to complete a calendar‑year Grand Slam. Overcome with feeling, Hewett broke down in tears as he accepted the trophy, a visible reminder of the personal and professional journey that brought him back to the top. The 28‑year‑old reflected on the arduous path that led to this moment. He recounted the disappointment of losing to Oda in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier in the year, describing those defeats as a period of intense self‑examination.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting,” Hewett said. He recalled the sting of his Wimbledon loss, noting that it forced him to step away from the sport briefly 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 mindset on the day of the final was fundamentally different. Rather than obsessing over the result, he aimed to embody a more fearless version of himself, one that would fight with grit and determination. “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 mental shift appeared to pay off, as he secured his fifth US Open singles title – his first since 2023 – and complemented the doubles gold he won alongside Gordon Reid just a day earlier. In the men’s doubles final, Neal Skupski, paired with American Christian Harrison, overcame the German duo of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in straight sets, 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6).
The victory was especially sweet for Skupski, who had previously finished as runner‑up at Flushing Meadows twice – once with Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and again with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023. "I’m still in shock," the 36‑year‑old admitted after the win.
"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 ceremony was presented by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his American partner Bruno Soares, marking the tenth anniversary of their own US Open victory. Their presence added a sense of continuity and tradition to the occasion. Skupski and Harrison’s partnership is still in its infancy; the pair had only entered their second tournament together when they clinched the Australian Open title in January.
Their rapid ascent continued this year, as they added Wimbledon to their résumé, making them the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to capture both major titles within the same calendar year. "It’s been a great year," Harrison said, visibly humbled. "To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home." Beyond the British successes, the US Open weekend featured a host of other headline moments. Alexander Zverev issued a confident warning to rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, proclaiming himself the world’s best player.
Zverev also halted Ben Shelton’s run, securing his own place in the men’s final. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina cemented her claim to the world No.
1 ranking by defeating two‑time champion Aryna Sabalenka, underscoring the tournament’s high‑stakes drama. For fans eager to follow the action, the US Open is broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming available on NOW and the Sky Sports App without a contract. The tournament also serves as a springboard for upcoming events, such as the Laver Cup, which will be held at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
The British victories in both wheelchair and men’s doubles categories not only highlight the depth of talent within the UK tennis community but also set a hopeful tone for the remainder of the season, as players look ahead to future Grand Slam challenges and the chance to build on their hard‑won successes.