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 title. The emotional scenes surrounding Hewett’s victory underscored the significance of his win, while Skupski’s long‑awaited triumph added a further layer of celebration for the nation. In the wheelchair final, Hewett overwhelmed Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda with a 6‑0, 7‑6 (7‑5) victory, denying the 20‑year‑old a chance to complete a calendar Grand Slam.
The British champion was visibly moved, breaking down in tears as he reflected on the journey that led him back to the top of the podium. Hewett, 28, had suffered defeats at the hands of Oda in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier in the year.
He spoke candidly about the mental and emotional work required to bounce back: “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 came away from that 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 continued, “Today I didn’t care about the outcome. It was about being a little bit more like ‘Alfie’ and showing the fight, the grit, the desire to play more fearlessly.
I think the performance showed that.” This introspection paid off, as Hewett’s powerful baseline play and relentless determination carried him to his fifth US Open singles title, his first since 2023. The victory dovetailed nicely with the doubles trophy he lifted alongside Gordon Reid just a day earlier, cementing a remarkable weekend for the British wheelchair team. The men’s doubles final featured a different British hero, Neal Skupski, who teamed with American partner Christian Harrison to defeat the German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6). Skupski’s win was especially sweet after two previous runner‑up finishes at Flushing Meadows – first with Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023.
At 36, Skupski admitted he was still in disbelief: “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 ceremony was presented by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his Brazilian‑American partner Bruno Soares, marking the tenth anniversary of their own triumph at the venue.
Their presence added a sense of continuity and tradition to the proceedings, linking past British successes with the present achievements of Skupski and Hewett. Harrison, who was only in his second tournament with Skupski after their Australian Open victory in January, expressed his astonishment at the rapid accumulation of titles: “It’s been a great year.
To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home.” Their partnership has already etched its name in history; by also winning Wimbledon, they became the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to claim both major titles in the same calendar year. Beyond the headline matches, the US Open weekend featured a host of other storylines. Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP China Open after an eleven‑year hiatus, a development highlighted by Sky Sports.
The broadcaster also secured a three‑year extension to continue airing the US Open through 2030, ensuring British fans will have ongoing access to the tournament’s drama. In the men’s draw, top seed Alexander Zverev issued a bold claim, declaring himself the world’s best player while warning rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Zverev later fulfilled part of that promise by defeating Ben Shelton in four sets to claim the men’s singles title, ending the American’s dream run. The tournament’s schedule, draws, and live results continued to be streamed on Sky Sports, the NOW platform, and the Sky Sports app, offering viewers flexible ways to follow the action without a contract. Fans in London also had the chance to experience the Laver Cup live at the O2 Arena from 25‑27 September, further extending the summer tennis calendar.
Overall, Saturday’s outcomes highlighted the depth of British talent across both wheelchair and able‑bodied tennis. Hewett’s emotional comeback and Skupski’s long‑awaited doubles victory provided a narrative of perseverance, resilience, and the rewards of relentless effort. As the US Open moves toward its final days, British supporters will be hoping for more memorable moments, while the broader tennis world reflects on a tournament that delivered both historic achievements and compelling personal stories.