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 a tear‑filled affair. After dispatching Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda with a decisive 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) scoreline, the 28‑year‑old British player broke down in tears, aware that his win had prevented Oda from completing a calendar Grand Slam.
Oda, only 20, had already secured the French Open and Wimbledon titles, making the final a high‑stakes showdown. Hewett reflected on the journey that led him back to the top of the podium. "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 defeat earlier in the year, describing it as "a tough one to swallow" and admitting that he took a brief hiatus to reassess his approach on the court.
"I 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," Hewett explained. When he stepped onto the court in New York, Hewett said he was focused less on the result and more on embodying the qualities he associated with his own name. "Today I didn’t care about the outcome. It was about being a little bit more like ‘Alfie’ and showing the fight, the grit, and the desire to play more fearlessly.
I think the performance showed that," he added. The victory marked his fifth US Open singles title, though it was his first since 2023. It also complemented the doubles trophy he had secured the previous day alongside fellow Brit Gordon Reid, underscoring a weekend of personal and national success. In the men’s doubles final, Neal Skupski teamed with American partner Christian Harrison to defeat the German pair of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).
Skupski, 36, had endured two previous runner‑up finishes at Flushing Meadows—first with Dutch player Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with compatriot Joe Salisbury in 2023. Those near‑misses had left a lingering sense of unfinished business, which he described as "still in shock" after finally clinching the title.
"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," Skupski said, his voice trembling with disbelief.
Harrison, who was only in his second tournament with Skupski after their Australian Open triumph in January, expressed his own amazement. "It’s been a great year.
To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home," he said, referring to the supportive atmosphere for the British contingent. Their partnership has already entered the record books: by winning Wimbledon earlier in the summer, they became only the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to capture both majors in the same calendar year.
The ceremony was overseen by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his Brazilian‑American partner Bruno Soares, who presented the trophies on the tenth anniversary of their own US Open victory. Their presence added a sense of continuity and tradition to the proceedings, linking past and present generations of British tennis success. Beyond the British headlines, the tournament continued to deliver high‑profile narratives. Alexander Zverev issued a bold statement, declaring himself the world’s best player after dispatching Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in earlier rounds.
Zverev also ended American hopeful Ben Shelton’s run, setting up a much‑anticipated men’s final that promised a clash of styles and personalities. In the women’s draw, Elena Rybakina cemented her ascent to the world No.
1 ranking by dethroning two‑time champion Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final, further underscoring the US Open’s role as a stage for career‑defining moments. The tournament’s schedule, draws, and live scores were broadcast across multiple platforms.
Sky Sports provided comprehensive coverage from August 30, while streaming options were available on NOW and the Sky Sports app without a long‑term contract. Fans in London could also experience the Laver Cup live at The O2 from September 25‑27, continuing the summer’s tennis festivities. Overall, the weekend highlighted the resilience and determination of British players who turned previous disappointments into triumphs.
Hewett’s emotional comeback and Skupski’s long‑awaited victory illustrated the depth of talent and the capacity for growth within the UK tennis community. Their achievements not only added new chapters to their personal legacies but also inspired a new generation of players watching from the stands and from home screens worldwide. The US Open, as always, proved to be a crucible where dreams are either shattered or realized, and for these two Britons, it was a stage for redemption, joy, and historic success.