Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski have always yearned for hardcourt doubles supremacy.
After 14 years of setbacks and agony, the pair upstaged homegrown heroes Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans in the Australian Open 2026 men’s doubles final 7-6(4) 6-4.
Reforming their partnership in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over the off-season after advancing to the ATP finals with different partners, the pair have come a long way since their first match together in 2013.
“I’ve known Christian for a very long time,” Skupski said. “We played a Futures [tournament in Glasgow] together, straight out of college for me in January 2013. We took a quick loss in the first round 6-1 6-3. We’ve upped our level since then."
Harrison added, “He didn’t play with me the next week,” instead opting to play with his brother Ryan.
Now Harrison follows in his brother’s footsteps by winning his first Grand Slam title. Nine years after watching Ryan hoist the Roland Garros 2017 crown, the 31-year-old tasted his own success.
AO 2026 marks the pinnacle of a long and difficult road for the American, who had eight surgeries between 2009 and 2018. Remembering the moment that his brother won Grand Slam silverware, Harrison has plans for where he will display his trophy.
“Right next to [Ryan’s], or in front of it,” Harrison joked about where on the shelf at his parents’ place he would put the trophy. “Actually, in December, I’ve seen it there for years, I actually picked it up for the first time.
“I thought that in order to hold it, I wanted to put in the work to try and get one myself but for whatever reason, [I held it].
“I see how emotional [my parents] get when we have success. I know they’ll be proud to have another one up there."
Skupski can now add an Australian Open men’s doubles title to his trophy cabinet after Saturday’s triumph.
Having reached the quarterfinals or greater at seven hardcourt majors, Skupski became the fourth British male since AO 2025 to win a men’s doubles crown.
The 36-year-old has previously reached quarterfinals in 2022 and 2023 at Melbourne Park, with Kubler defeating Skupski alongside Rinky Hijikata in 2023, en route to their sole triumph.
“I definitely remember that match. They played unbelievable that day,” Skupski said.
“Kubes [Kubler] seems to play very well here. He likes these courts, these conditions. Marky [Polmans], he was also very good.
“We knuckled down and had to bring our best level today and I think that’s what we did. This will definitely improve us, give us experience, and especially in front of a crowd like today was incredible.
“It was kind of a Davis Cup atmosphere, and I think it’s something that we both enjoy playing in.”