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. The day was filled with emotion, drama and a sense of redemption for both athletes, each of whom had faced setbacks earlier in the season. In the wheelchair final, Hewett faced Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda, a 20‑year‑old who had already forced the British champion into defeat at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year.
The match began with a dominant first set, as Hewett ran away with a 6‑0 lead, displaying the power and precision that have made him a perennial contender at Grand Slam events. The second set proved far more competitive, with Oda pushing the British player to a tiebreak. Hewett eventually prevailed 7‑6, taking the tiebreak 7‑5.
As the final point was struck, a visibly emotional Hewett broke down in tears, aware that his victory had denied Oda the chance to complete a calendar‑year Grand Slam. Reflecting on his win, the 28‑year‑old spoke candidly about the mental and emotional journey that led him back to the top of the podium. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting,” he said.
Hewett recalled the sting of his Wimbledon loss, describing it as a moment that forced him to pause and examine his approach to the sport. “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,” he explained. He went on to say that on the day of the US Open final, the outcome mattered less than playing with the right mindset.
“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 a bit more fearless. I think the performance showed that.” This fifth US Open title, his first since 2023, adds to the doubles gold he secured alongside Gordon Reid just a day earlier, underscoring a week of historic success for British wheelchair tennis. In the men’s doubles final, Neal Skupski teamed with American partner Christian Harrison to defeat the German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in straight sets, 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6).
The victory marked a long‑awaited breakthrough for Skupski, who had finished as runner‑up at Flushing Meadows on two previous occasions – first with Dutch player Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023. At 36, Skupski admitted the win 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,” he said. Harrison, who was only in his second tournament partnership with Skupski after their Australian Open triumph in January, expressed disbelief at their rapid ascent. “It’s been a great year.
To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of winning a major on American soil. The Skupski‑Harrison pairing has already etched its name in the record books. By capturing both the Australian Open and the US Open in the same calendar year, they became the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to achieve a double‑major sweep in a single season. Their chemistry on court, aggressive net play and complementary baseline strengths have made them a formidable force on the ATP tour.
The ceremony was presented by former British doubles champion Jamie Murray and his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, who were celebrating the 10th anniversary of their own US Open victory. Their presence added a touch of nostalgia and highlighted the continuity of British excellence in doubles competition. Beyond the headlines of the finals, the US Open weekend featured several notable storylines on Sky Sports.
Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP China Open after an 11‑year hiatus, while Sky secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the US Open through 2030. Alexander Zverev, the top seed, issued a bold claim that he is currently the world’s best player, and later went on to defeat Ben Sutton in the men’s final, ending the American’s title hopes in four sets. For fans eager to follow the action, the US Open continued to be streamed live on Sky Sports from August 30, with additional coverage available on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, all without a long‑term contract. The tournament also served as a lead‑in to the Laver Cup, which will be staged at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Overall, the Saturday victories for Hewett and Skupski encapsulated a narrative of perseverance, adaptation and ultimate redemption. Both athletes turned previous disappointments into fuel for success, delivering performances that will be remembered as defining moments in British tennis history.