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. Both victories carried a great deal of emotion and narrative, underscoring the perseverance and talent of the two athletes. In the wheelchair singles final, Hewett produced a dominant performance, overwhelming Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda with a 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) victory. The win denied the 20‑year‑old Oda the chance to complete a calendar‑year Grand Slam, a feat that would have made him the first wheelchair player to hold all four major titles in the same season.
As Hewett stood on the court after the match, the emotions overtook him and he broke down in tears, a raw display of the pressure and joy that comes with such a hard‑won success. The 28‑year‑old reflected on the journey that led to his resurgence. He recalled the disappointment of losing to Oda in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier in the year, describing those defeats as moments that forced him into deep self‑examination.
"It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting," he said. He admitted that the Wimbledon loss was especially painful, prompting him to take a brief break from competition and conduct an honest assessment of his mindset on the court. "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. When asked about his approach in the US Open final, Hewett emphasized a shift away from obsessing over the result and toward embracing his true character.
"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 reset paid off, as he secured his fifth US Open singles title, his first since 2023, and added it to the doubles championship he captured with partner Gordon Reid just a day earlier. The men’s doubles final featured an equally compelling storyline.
Neal Skupski, paired with American Christian Harrison, faced Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. After a solid first set win 6‑4, the British‑American duo held their nerve in a tightly contested tiebreak, prevailing 7‑6 (8‑6) to claim the championship.
This victory marked Skupski’s long‑awaited breakthrough at Flushing Meadows; he had previously finished runner‑up twice—once with Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and again with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023. The trophy ceremony was conducted by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, who themselves celebrated the 10th anniversary of their own US Open triumph.
Skupski, now 36, expressed disbelief at finally reaching the summit. "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, acknowledging the emotional weight of overcoming past near‑misses. Harrison, who had only partnered with Skupski for their second tournament together, reflected on the rapid success they had enjoyed earlier in the season.
The pair had captured the Australian Open title in January, and by also securing Wimbledon, they became only the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to win both major events in a single calendar year. "It’s been a great year," Harrison remarked. "To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home." Beyond the headline matches, the US Open coverage on Sky Sports continued to expand, with a three‑year extension securing broadcast rights through 2030.
The network also highlighted other storylines, such as Novak Djokovic’s return to the ATP China Open after an eleven‑year hiatus and Alexander Zverev’s confident claim that he is currently the world’s best player, a statement that set the stage for his subsequent victory over Ben Shelton in the men’s final. The tournament’s schedule, draws, and real‑time results were made widely available through Sky Sports’ streaming platforms, including NOW and the Sky Sports App, offering fans flexible ways to follow the action without a long‑term contract.
Additionally, the Laver Cup was slated to be broadcast live from The O2 in London later in September, further cementing Sky Sports’ role as a primary destination for elite tennis coverage. Overall, the Saturday victories highlighted the depth of British talent on the international stage. Hewett’s emotional comeback demonstrated the power of resilience and mental fortitude, while Skupski’s long‑awaited triumph underscored the value of perseverance and partnership chemistry. Both athletes have added significant chapters to their careers, and their successes will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of British tennis players.