Neal Skupski Is Historic British Wimbledon Title Winner
Wimbledon
July 15, 2023
Neal Skupski has done something very special by winning the Men’s Doubles title alongside his Dutch partner
He is the first British man since the 1920s to win both the Mixed Doubles and the Men’s Doubles at Wimbledon.
That turns Skupski into a genuine tennis legend. No wonder he collapsed onto the grass in joy and disbelief when he served out the winning game.
Neal Skupski thrilled a patriotic Hollywood legend by achieving every British doubles player’s dream.
Dame Maggie Smith was so moved she seemed on the point of tears as she applauded a landmark British win at Wimbledon 2023.
And Skupski knows he has written his name into the history books. Not even the more famous Jamie Murray, a former doubles partner, has been able to do the Wimbledon “Doubles Double.”
Neal is also well aware he came from an area more famous for footballers than tennis players. He chose his own path – and it paid off handsomely.
Skupski said: ‘I don’t know what to say. Growing up watching these amazing Championships and starting to play tennis in Liverpool…this moment doesn’t get better.’
He and partner Wesley Koolhof looked as though they had been playing together all their lives.
But Neal explained: ‘Wesley and I came together eighteen months ago – and now we have done it. This feels very special.’
Wesley agreed as he held his trophy: ‘To hold this beauty is very, very special.’
The Anglo-Dutch pair played out of their skins – and their Spanish opponents admitted there was a gulf in levels on the day.
Skupski and Koolhof beat Floracio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-4 with some sparkling showmanship to keep Dame Maggie transfixed.
Meanwhile Wheelchair Tennis legends Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won their fifth Wimbledon doubles title together.
They beat Japan’s Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, despite some difficult moments in the first set. Hewett will meet teen sensation Oda in Sunday’s singles final.