Britain celebrated a double triumph at the US Open on Saturday as two of its finest tennis athletes lifted trophies in separate events. Alfie Hewett reclaimed the wheelchair singles crown, while Neal Skupski, alongside his partner Christian Harrison, captured the men’s doubles title for the first time in his career. Hewett’s victory was an emotional one.
After dispatching Japan’s rising talent Tokito Oda with a decisive 6‑0, 7‑6 (7‑5) scoreline, the 28‑year‑old British player broke down in tears. Oda, only 20, had been on the brink of completing a calendar Grand Slam, but Hewett’s relentless play denied him that historic achievement.
The win marked Hewett’s fifth US Open singles title, though it was his first since his 2023 triumph. It also followed a successful doubles campaign, as he partnered with Gordon Reid to claim the wheelchair doubles trophy the previous day.
Reflecting on his journey, Hewett spoke candidly about the challenges he had faced over the past year. "It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting," he said. He recalled the disappointment of losing to Oda in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier in the season.
"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 court and how I wanted to show up," he explained. Hewett emphasized that his mindset on the day of the final was different. "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 more fearlessly. I think the performance showed that," he added, underscoring the personal growth that fueled his comeback. In the men’s doubles final, Skupski and American partner Christian Harrison overcame the German pair Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in straight sets, 6‑4, 7‑6 (8‑6). The win was especially sweet for Skupski, who had been runner‑up at Flushing Meadows on two previous occasions – first with Dutch teammate Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury in 2023.
"I’m still in shock," Skupski, 36, admitted after the match. "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." Harrison, who was only in his second tournament 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," he said, referring to the supportive British crowd.
The duo’s achievements place them among a select group of men’s doubles teams that have captured both the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles in the same calendar year since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988. Their partnership, forged relatively recently, has already produced a remarkable record, highlighting the chemistry and complementary styles that have propelled them to the top of the doubles rankings.
The ceremony was presided over by former British doubles champion Jamie Murray and his former partner Bruno Soares, who presented the trophies on the 10th anniversary of their own US Open victory. Their presence added a sense of continuity and tradition to the celebrations, linking past British successes with the present generation. Beyond the British victories, the US Open weekend featured a host of other storylines. Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP China Open after an 11‑year hiatus, while Sky Sports secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the tournament through 2030.
In the men’s singles draw, top seed Alexander Zverev warned rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that he considered himself the best player in the world, and later went on to defeat Ben Shelton in the final, clinching the championship in four sets. The tournament also highlighted the global nature of the sport, with players from across continents competing on the iconic hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
The US Open continues to serve as the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, offering a dramatic climax to the tennis season. For fans in the United Kingdom, the action was available live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options on NOW and the Sky Sports app for those without a contract.
Additionally, the Laver Cup was scheduled to be broadcast from The O2 in London later in September, further showcasing the breadth of high‑profile tennis events accessible to British audiences. Overall, the weekend underscored the resilience and determination of British tennis players, with Hewett’s emotional comeback and Skupski’s long‑awaited doubles triumph providing memorable moments that will be remembered by supporters for years to come.