Britain celebrated a remarkable 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 steeped in emotion and narrative, underscoring the resilience and determination that have defined their seasons.
Hewett’s win was especially moving. After dispatching Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda with a commanding 6‑0, 7‑6 (7‑5) scoreline, the 28‑year‑old British player broke down in tears. The victory not only denied Oda the chance to complete a calendar‑year Grand Slam but also marked a personal redemption for Hewett, who had fallen short to Oda in the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year.
Reflecting on his journey, Hewett said, “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 went on to explain the shift in his mindset that helped him secure the title: “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 play a bit more fearless. I think the performance showed that.” This introspection paid off, as the victory represented Hewett’s fifth US Open singles trophy, his first since 2023, and complemented the doubles title he secured alongside Gordon Reid just a day earlier. On the men’s doubles side, Neal Skupski teamed up with American partner Christian Harrison to overcome the German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in straight sets, 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6). The win was a watershed moment for Skupski, who had previously finished runner‑up at Flushing Meadows twice – first with Dutch player Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2021.
At 36, Skupski admitted the triumph 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.” Harrison, who was only in his second tournament partnership with Skupski after their Australian Open triumph in January, expressed his astonishment at the rapid success: “It’s been a great year. To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home.” Their achievement is historically significant; by also winning Wimbledon, they became only the fourth men’s doubles duo since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to claim both major titles in the same calendar year.
The ceremony was presided over by former doubles champions Jamie Murray and his Brazilian‑American partner Bruno Soares, who presented the trophies on the tenth anniversary of their own victory at the US Open. Their presence added a sense of continuity and celebration to a day that highlighted the depth of British talent on the world stage.
Beyond the headline matches, the US Open weekend featured a host of other storylines. Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP China Open, a tournament he had not contested for eleven years, while Sky Sports secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the US Open through 2030.
In the men’s singles draw, top seed Alexander Zverev issued a confident warning to rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, proclaiming himself the best player in the world at that moment. Zverev later fulfilled part of that promise by ending Ben Shelton’s run and advancing to the final, where he faced Shelton in a four‑set showdown.
The tournament also continued to provide comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms. Fans could follow live scores, updates, commentary, and results via Sky Sports, the NOW streaming service, and the Sky Sports app, all without a binding contract. Additionally, the Laver Cup was scheduled to be broadcast from The O2 in London later in September, further underscoring Sky Sports’ commitment to delivering premier tennis content. In summary, Saturday’s US Open results offered a narrative of perseverance and triumph for British tennis.
Alfie Hewett’s emotional comeback in the wheelchair singles, coupled with Neal Skupski’s long‑awaited doubles victory, highlighted the nation’s growing prominence in the sport. Their successes, set against a backdrop of historic milestones and extensive media coverage, will be remembered as a defining moment in the 2026 tennis season.