Britain celebrated a remarkable double triumph at the US Open on Saturday, as Alfie Hewett reclaimed his wheelchair singles crown while Neal Skupski captured the men’s doubles title for the first time. The day was filled with emotion, drama and a sense of redemption for both champions.
In the wheelchair final, a visibly moved Hewett broke down in tears after dispatching Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda with a decisive 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 to hold all four majors in a single season in the wheelchair division. Hewett, now 28, reflected on the journey that led to his resurgence.
After falling short to Oda in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier in the year, he confessed that the season forced him into a period of intense self‑examination. "It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting," he said. He went on to describe the disappointment he felt after Wimbledon, calling it "a tough one to swallow" and admitting that he took some time away from the sport to reassess his mindset.
"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. On the day of the US Open final, he felt liberated from the pressure of the result.
"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. The victory marked Hewett’s fifth US Open singles title, his first since the 2023 edition, and complemented the doubles gold he secured with long‑time partner Gordon Reid on Friday.
The British pair lifted the trophy together, underscoring the depth of talent the United Kingdom now boasts across wheelchair tennis. In the men’s doubles final, Neal Skupski teamed up with American Christian Harrison to defeat the German side of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in straight sets, 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 – first alongside Dutch player Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury the previous year. "I’m still in shock," the 36‑year‑old admitted.
"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." The ceremony was overseen by former British doubles champion Jamie Murray and his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, who presented the trophies on the tenth anniversary of their own US Open victory. Skupski and Harrison’s partnership is still in its infancy; the pair had only entered their second tournament together when they claimed the Australian Open title in January.
Their rapid ascent continued as they added a Wimbledon crown to their résumé, making them the fourth men’s doubles duo since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to capture both majors in the same calendar year. Harrison, equally elated, said, "It’s been a great year. To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home." Their success highlights the growing synergy between British and American players on the doubles circuit and hints at a promising future for the partnership.
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 move that will be broadcast on Sky Sports. Sky Sports also secured a three‑year extension of its US Open coverage, guaranteeing live broadcasts through the end of 2030. In the men’s singles draw, top seed Alexander Zverev issued a bold claim, stating he believes he is currently the best player in the world, and later went on to defeat Ben Shelton in four sets to claim the championship, ending the American’s dream run.
The tournament’s schedule, draws and real‑time results continue to be available on Sky Sports, NOW and the Sky Sports App, offering fans multiple ways to follow the action without a contract. For those in the UK, the Laver Cup will also be streamed live from The O2 in London between 25 and 27 September, further extending the summer tennis calendar.
Overall, Saturday’s outcomes underscored a narrative of perseverance and redemption for British tennis. Hewett’s emotional comeback in the wheelchair division and Skupski’s long‑awaited triumph in men’s doubles both illustrate how dedication, introspection and the right partnership can turn setbacks into historic victories.
The celebrations at Flushing Meadows echoed the broader spirit of the US Open – a tournament where legends are made, records are broken, and new chapters in tennis history are written.