Neal Skupski reaches ATP doubles world No.1

Skupski joins former partner Jamie Murray and three-time men’s doubles Grand Slam champion Joe Salisbury as the third Brit to reach the summit of the rankings and the third in the last six years.

“It’s a dream come true to top the world rankings,” Skupski said in an interview with ATP.com.

“It means everything and I couldn’t have done it without the support of so many people along the way, especially my family.

“It’s special to join such an illustrious group of players who have topped the rankings before me. Hopefully Wes and I can continue our good form and increase our stay at the top.”

His latest achievement comes off the back of a breakthrough season, which has seen the 32-year-old rise from world No.20 to No.1, in only his first year playing with Koolhof.

The British, Dutch duo have featured at the top of the year rankings since January after getting off to a title winning start in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Since then, the pair have gone from strength to strength, wracking up seven titles, including three ATP 1000 trophies (Madrid, Canada and Paris). They also reached their first Grand Slam final together at the US Open, where they narrowly lost out to Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram.

In September, Skupski was also selected by Great Britain captain Leon Smith to represent his country at the Davis Cup Finals in Glasgow, where he won his only doubles rubber against Kazakhstan.

Away from his achievements on the ATP Tour this season, Skupski has also been a Grand Slam champion in his own right - defending his Wimbledon mixed doubles crown with Desirae Krawczyk.

Competing for the Nitto ATP Finals crown this week – where they have come in as the No.1 seeds – Skupski and Koolhof got off to a winning start against Australian duo Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Follow the latest updates from the Brits in Turin.