Neal Skupski returns to ATP doubles world No.1
• 1 minute read
Neal Skupski has returned to the summit of the world rankings for the first time in two and a half years following his run to the Australian Open men’s doubles title.
This marks the second time Skupski has climbed to world No.1 in the ATP doubles rankings, having first achieved the feat in November 2022 – a standout season in which he claimed seven titles including three Masters 1000 crowns. He held this position periodically until August 2023.
The 33-year-old's return to the summit comes off the back of a sensational fortnight at the Australian Open where he captured his second Grand Slam men’s doubles title.
Parterning American Christian Harrison for the 2026 season, the pair have hit the ground running from the off. They backed up a semi-final run at the Adelaide International by reaching the men's doubles final in Melbourne where they overcame home favourites Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans 7-6(4), 6-4 on the Rod Laver Arena.final in Melbourne.
The victory secured their first major title as a partnership and saw Skupski add to the 2023 Wimbledon title he won with Dutchman Wesley Koolhof.
In lifting the Australian Open trophy, Skupski became just the fifth British player to win multiple men’s doubles Grand Slams in the Open Era - joining Roger Taylor, Jamie Murray, Joe Salisbury and Henry Patten, and the fourth British man to win the doubles title at Melbourne Park.
Skupski’s return to the top of the world rankings now sees three British tennis players occupy the top three spots in the ATP doubles rankings, with reigning Wimbledon champions Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash sitting in the No.2 and No.3 spots respectively.
Skupski and Harrison will be hoping to continue their winning start to their partnership throughout the rest of the season, particularly with back-to-back Masters 1000 events at Indian Wells and the Miami Open next month.
