​Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid clinched the Wimbledon wheelchair doubles title once again on Saturday, overcoming Tokito Oda and Gustavo Fernandez in a dramatic three-set battle to claim their seventh doubles championship together at the Championships. The British duo, aged 28 and 34 respectively, reversed a deficit after dropping the first set on Court No 1, avenging last year’s defeat to Martin de la Puente and Ruben Spaargaren and sealing their latest triumph in a match that showcased their resilience and teamwork.
Hewett and Reid were back at Wimbledon as the top seeds, with Oda from Japan and Fernandez from Argentina having upset the defending champions De la Puente and Fernandez in the semi-finals to reach the final. The final result read 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 after one hour and 47 minutes of intense play, underscoring the battling spirit of the British pair as they fought back from a slow start to outmaneuver their opponents.
This victory adds a remarkable milestone to Hewett and Reid’s already storied partnership. By winning, they extended their tally of Grand Slam doubles titles together to 25, a testament to their longevity, consistency, and ability to perform at the highest level across major championships. The win also enhances Hewett’s personal prospects, as he prepares for a potential second Wimbledon singles title and his first since 2024. He is set to face the formidable world No 1 Oda in the singles final on Sunday, a match that promises to be a highly anticipated matchup given the recent competitive history between the two players.
The upcoming singles final between Hewett and Oda will mark the third time in the last four years that they have met in Wimbledon’s singles final, highlighting the enduring rivalry between one of wheelchair tennis’s brightest stars and the sport’s rising young challenger. This concentration of top-level showdowns at Wimbledon reflects the tournament’s ongoing commitment to showcasing elite wheelchair tennis and the deep pool of talent emerging in para-sport worldwide.
Looking back at the wheelchair doubles final, Hewett and Reid’s ability to regain momentum after dropping the opening set demonstrated their strategic depth and court sense. They appeared to reconstruct their approach in the second set, shifting the pace and placement of their returns and serves to disrupt Oda and Fernandez’s rhythm. The British pair used a blend of aggressive net play, precision passing shots, and well-timed lobs to turn the match in their favor, ultimately taking control as the match progressed.
Oda and Fernandez, while unable to sustain their initial momentum, remained competitive throughout. The first-set performance by the Japanese-Argentine duo showed their capacity to execute high-velocity exchanges and to attack Hewett and Reid’s second serve effectively. Yet as the match wore on, the resilience and cohesion of Hewett and Reid began to shine through, allowing them to reassert their dominance on crucial points and convert opportunities into decisive breaks.
The outcome adds another entry to Hewett and Reid’s legacy as one of the most successful doubles partnerships in wheelchair tennis. Their seven Wimbledon doubles titles together place them among the sport’s most decorated pairs at this prestigious venue, a claim underscored by their overall Grand Slam success. For Hewett, the near-term focus now shifts to the singles final, where he will attempt to capture a second Wimbledon singles crown and strengthen his standing as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
With the season advancing and the Wimbledon fortnight drawing to a close, the result also serves as a reminder of the depth of competition across wheelchair tennis. The rivalries between Hewett and Oda, Fernandez and Spaargaren, and among the broader field continue to elevate the profile of the sport and inspire upcoming generations of players. Fans can anticipate more high-caliber tennis as these athletes push to translate their extraordinary skill, speed, and strategic acumen into more titles and memorable matches on the world stage.
In summary, Hewett and Reid’s triumph on Saturday reaffirmed their status as a dominant force in wheelchair doubles, marking their seventh title together at Wimbledon and their 25th Grand Slam doubles triumph as a pair. The victory not only added another cherished trophy to their cabinet but also set the stage for a compelling Sunday as Hewett seeks singles glory against Oda, in a rivalry that has produced some of the most compelling narratives in the sport.