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 championship. The day was filled with emotion, drama and a sense of redemption for both athletes, each of whom overcame personal challenges to stand atop the podium. Hewett’s victory was particularly moving. After a dominant first set, he edged out Japan’s rising star Tokito Oda 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) to thwart Oda’s bid for a calendar Grand Slam.
The 28‑year‑old Briton was visibly overwhelmed, breaking down in tears as he reflected on the significance of the win. He explained that the journey back to the top required “a lot of hard work, a lot of soul‑searching at times, a lot of reflecting.” Hewett recalled the disappointment he felt after losing to Oda in both the French Open and Wimbledon finals earlier in the season, describing the Wimbledon loss as “a tough one to swallow.” He went on to say that the defeat forced him to take a break, look deeply at himself and decide what kind of player he wanted to be.
“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 said. On the day of the US Open final, Hewett said he was no longer pre‑occupied with the result.
“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,” he added. This triumph marks Hewett’s fifth US Open singles title, but his first since 2023, and it comes on the heels of the doubles trophy he secured alongside Gordon Reid on Friday.
The pair’s victory further cemented Hewett’s status as one of the sport’s most resilient and charismatic figures, and his emotional celebration resonated with fans worldwide. In the men’s doubles final, Skupski teamed up with American partner Christian Harrison to defeat the German duo of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). The win was a long‑awaited reward for Skupski, who had previously finished as runner‑up at Flushing Meadows twice – first with Dutch player Wesley Koolhof in 2022 and then with fellow Briton Joe Salisbury the previous year. 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 does in tennis.
This moment feels so special,” he said. The ceremony was presented by former Grand Slam champions Jamie Murray and his American partner Bruno Soares, who were commemorating the 10th anniversary of their own US Open triumph. Their presence added a sense of continuity and tradition to the event, highlighting how the tournament continues to produce unforgettable moments for British tennis.
Harrison, who was only in his second tournament partnership with Skupski, reflected on the rapid success they had achieved. Earlier in the year, the pair had captured the Australian Open title in January, and by also winning Wimbledon, they became only the fourth men’s doubles team since the Australian Open switched to hard courts in 1988 to claim both majors in the same calendar year. “It’s been a great year,” Harrison said. “To get two titles like this, I’m speechless – and to do it at home.” The US Open coverage continues on Sky Sports from August 30, with live streams available on NOW and the Sky Sports app without a contract.
Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will also be broadcast on Sky Sports. Beyond the headline results, the tournament featured several notable storylines. Novak Djokovic announced his return to the ATP China Open after an 11‑year hiatus, a move that was highlighted by Sky Sports.
Additionally, the network secured a three‑year extension to broadcast the US Open through the end of 2030, ensuring continued access for UK viewers. In other news, top‑seed Alexander Zverev warned rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that he believes he is currently the world’s best player, before later defeating Ben Shelton in the men’s final to claim the championship in four sets.
The US Open remains the final Grand Slam of the 2026 season, with draws, schedules and results closely followed by fans worldwide. The tournament’s blend of historic achievements, personal comebacks and high‑stakes competition continues to make it a centerpiece of the tennis calendar, and the British victories of Hewett and Skupski added another memorable chapter to its storied history.