Britain celebrated a remarkable double triumph at the US Open on Saturday, as Alfie Hewett reclaimed his wheelchair singles crown and Neal Skupski finally lifted the men’s doubles trophy. Hewett’s emotional victory came after a dominant 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) win over Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda, thwarting the 20‑year‑old’s bid for a calendar Grand Slam. The 28‑year‑old British champion broke down in tears, reflecting on a season of hard work, self‑examination, and a renewed mindset after disappointing finishes at the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year.
In his post‑match interview, Hewett explained, “It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting. The Wimbledon loss was a tough one to swallow. I definitely left that match with a lot of regret, took some time off and gave myself a long, hard look in the mirror about who I wanted to be on the court and how I wanted to show up.” He went on to say that his focus in New York was not on the result but on embodying a more fearless 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, the grit and the desire to go out and play more fearlessly. I think the performance showed that.” This win marks Hewett’s fifth US Open singles title, his first since his 2023 triumph, and it nicely complements the doubles title he secured alongside Gordon Reid on Friday.
The British pair’s success adds another chapter to Hewett’s growing legacy in wheelchair tennis, where he has become a dominant force over the past decade. In the men’s doubles final, Neal Skupski teamed with American partner Christian Harrison to defeat the German duo of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). Skupski, now 36, finally broke his own pattern of near‑misses at Flushing Meadows.
He had previously finished as runner‑up twice: first with Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023. The victory was especially sweet given those earlier heartbreaks, with Skupski admitting, “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 can do in tennis. This moment feels so special.” The trophy ceremony was presented by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his former partner Bruno Soares, who were commemorating the 10th anniversary of their own US Open triumph.
Their presence underscored the continuity of British excellence in doubles competition. Harrison and Skupski’s partnership is still in its infancy; the Australian Open earlier this year was only their second tournament together, yet they managed to capture that title as well.
By also securing Wimbledon, they joined an exclusive group of men’s doubles teams that have won both major hard‑court events in the same calendar year since the Australian Open switched to a hard surface in 1988. Harrison expressed his amazement, saying, “It’s been a great year. To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home makes it even more special.” The US Open coverage continues on Sky Sports through August 30, with live streaming available via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app without a contract. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London, scheduled for September 25‑27, which will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Beyond the headline victories, the tournament featured a host of other notable storylines. Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP China Open after an eleven‑year hiatus, a move that will be highlighted on Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Sky Sports secured a three‑year extension of its US Open broadcasting rights, ensuring coverage through the end of 2030. In other news, Alexander Zverev issued a bold claim, declaring himself the world’s best player and warning rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz of his ambitions.
Zverev later fulfilled part of that promise by defeating Ben Shelton in the men’s final, ending the American’s run and capturing the championship in four sets. The US Open remains the final Grand Slam of the 2026 season, drawing global attention to the iconic Flushing Meadows courts. As the tournament progresses, fans can follow live scores, updates, commentary, and results through Sky Sports’ comprehensive coverage, ensuring that every rally, upset, and historic moment is captured for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.