Neal Skupski of Britain Clinches First Grand Slam at Wimbledon 2023 with Dutch Co-player Wesley Koolhof

Wimbledon 2023 as featured by the BBC
Venue: All England Club Dates: July 3-16
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In a victorious achievement, Britain’s Neal Skupski secured his debut Grand Slam men’s doubles title at Wimbledon, teaming up with his Dutch colleague, Wesley Koolhof.

They triumphed over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos with a 6-4 6-4 win.

Witnessing Skupski’s victory was his brother and prior doubles partner, Ken, who paused a family vacation to attend the event. Skupski set a record as the first Briton to grasp both the mixed and men’s doubles titles at SW19 since 1926.

This marks his third consecutive win at the tournament, having previously secured the mixed title in 2021 and 2022.

Despite forming a partnership only 18 months prior, Skupski and Koolhof had yet to clinch a Grand Slam. After advancing to the final, Skupski expressed that a win at the All England Club would signify the “pinnacle” of their achievements.

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After securing match point, an exultant Skupski immediately embraced the grass, lying there in disbelief before rushing to hug his partner.

He gestured with a fist-pump towards his box, later climbing up to hug his companions and family – a gesture synonymous with Wimbledon victories.

“Words fail me. This moment just doesn’t get any better,” stated Skupski.

“When Wesley and I teamed up, our goal for this year was to win a Grand Slam. Now that we’ve achieved it, the feeling is incredibly special.”

Jonathan Marray was the last Briton to win the men’s doubles title, with Danish partner Frederik Nielsen 11 years ago. It’s been nearly a century since Leslie Godfree won the men’s doubles title with Randolph Lycett in 1923 and the mixed doubles title three years later with Kitty Godfree.

Following consecutive mixed doubles victories in the last two years with American partner Desirae Krawczyk, Skupski aimed to be the first Briton to win a non-wheelchair Wimbledon title three years in a row since Dorothy Round in 1937.

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After narrowly missing out on the US Open final last year, the pair bided their time and seized the first break point in the seventh game with some tactical returning and net pressure, finally securing it when Granollers of Spain faltered with a double fault.

Skupski, hailing from Liverpool, held a confident service game to 15 before Argentine Zeballos served an ace to save set point, leaving Koolhof to successfully serve it out with a flawless hold to love.

Securing a single break of serve in the fifth game of the second set was all it took for Skupski and Koolhof to win when Koolhof delivered a slam at the third attempt after the 15th seeds had rescued two break points.

The duo missed two break points in the seventh game but confirmed their victory when Granollers sent a forehand return long. They lapped up the applause from the supportive crowd and celebrated their victory with a lap of honour.

Their victory followed shortly after Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid clinched their fifth Wimbledon title in the men’s doubles wheelchair event.

The triumph of Neal Skupski and Wesley Koolhof was celebrated in the player box with Ken Skupski [left] and other friends and family.
Ken Returns from Short Ibiza Trip

Skupski’s brother Ken, previously his partner and now coach after his retirement last year, had planned a holiday to Ibiza on Thursday, not realizing it would coincide with the final.

After delaying his plans to watch their semi-final match, Ken flew to Ibiza on Friday, but upon realizing he couldn’t miss his brother’s Wimbledon final, he returned in the early hours of Saturday.

“Ken spent probably 14 hours in Ibiza before returning,” Skupski said.

“He [Ken] arrived in Ibiza around 9:30am on Friday, enjoyed his day there, and then caught a 1am flight back this morning. Despite a few hours delay, he landed at Gatwick at 4:30am and slept in a pod at Gatwick airport.

“He joined me on the court in my clothes. He’s already headed back to Ibiza with the family. He probably expects a pay raise!

“He always said, ‘If you make the final, I’m coming back’. But I don’t know if he genuinely thought I’d make the final.”

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More about Wimbledon 2023 Victory

• Wimbledon Official Website
• Neal Skupski’s Professional Statistics
• Wesley Koolhof’s Professional Statistics
• BBC Tennis