Britain celebrated a 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 championship. Both victories were emotionally charged and underscored the perseverance and resilience that have defined each player’s recent career trajectory. Hewett’s win was a dramatic affair.
After a dominant first set, he edged out Japan’s rising 20‑year‑old star Tokito Oda in a tightly contested second set, prevailing 6‑0, 7‑6 (7‑5). The British champion was visibly moved, breaking down in tears as he realized he had denied Oda a potential calendar Grand Slam. The 28‑year‑old reflected on the arduous journey that led to this moment, noting that the season had forced him to confront both physical and mental challenges. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting,” he said.
He recalled the disappointment of his Wimbledon loss earlier in the year, describing it as a “tough one to swallow” that prompted a period of introspection. “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,” Hewett explained.
His resolve, however, proved unshakable on the day of the final. “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 go out and play a bit more fearless. I think the performance showed that,” he added.
This victory marked Hewett’s fifth US Open singles title, his first since 2023, and complemented the doubles trophy he secured alongside Gordon Reid just a day earlier. In the men’s doubles draw, Neal Skupski partnered with American Christian Harrison to defeat the German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6). The win was particularly sweet for Skupski, who had previously finished as runner‑up at Flushing Meadows on two occasions – once with Dutch player Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and again with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury last year. At 36, Skupski admitted the triumph still felt surreal.
“I’m still in shock. 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,” he said. The ceremony was overseen by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, who presented the trophies on the tenth anniversary of their own victory at the venue.
Skupski and Harrison’s partnership is relatively new; the duo had only entered their second tournament together when they claimed the Australian Open title in January. Their success at the US Open, coupled with a Wimbledon victory earlier in the season, placed them among an elite group.
They became 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. Harrison expressed his amazement at the rapid accumulation of accolades. “It’s been a great year.
To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home,” he said, highlighting the emotional resonance of winning on American soil while representing a transatlantic partnership. Beyond the headline matches, the US Open weekend featured a host of other storylines. Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP’s China Open, marking his first appearance at the event in eleven years, a development that will be covered extensively on Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the US Open through the end of 2030, ensuring fans can follow the tournament’s drama for years to come. In the men’s singles draw, top seed Alexander Zverev issued a bold claim, warning rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that he considered himself the world’s best player at that moment. Zverev later lived up to the hype by eliminating Ben Sutton in a four‑set semifinal, setting up a highly anticipated final against the American Ben Siddons. The tournament’s schedule, draws, and real‑time results have been made readily accessible through Sky Sports’ live coverage, the NOW streaming platform, and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans worldwide to stay updated without a long‑term contract.
The US Open, now in its final Grand Slam edition of 2026, continues to draw massive global attention. Its iconic courts at Flushing Meadows have witnessed historic moments across generations, and this year’s edition added another chapter with British athletes achieving landmark victories. As the tournament progresses, viewers can expect more thrilling matches, surprise upsets, and memorable performances that will shape the narrative of the sport for months to come. For those unable to attend in person, the event remains available for live streaming, and the Laver Cup will soon follow at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, also broadcast on Sky Sports.
The combination of on‑court drama, personal redemption stories, and historic milestones ensures that the US Open remains a pinnacle of tennis excellence and a showcase for the sport’s most compelling athletes.