Ruben Harris, an emerging talent in junior wheelchair tennis, secured his second Grand Slam title on Friday night at the US Open in New York. The 18-year-old from Canterbury, England, teamed up with his regular doubles partner, Maximilian Taucher from Austria, to triumph in the boys’ wheelchair doubles final.
“This tournament is one of the most prestigious in junior wheelchair tennis, and to win here is an extraordinary feeling,” said Harris after their victory. The British-Austrian duo defeated the pairing of Luiz Calixto from Brazil and Tomas Majetic from the United States, winning the match decisively with a score of 6-3, 6-3. This triumph adds to the junior doubles title they previously won at the French Open in 2024.
Reflecting on the achievement, Harris shared, “It’s hard to process everything right now, but being a two-time champion at a Grand Slam is a fitting way to end my junior career.” Often recognized for his composure, Harris remarked on the importance of maintaining mental resilience throughout the tournament. “We played strategically and took advantage of the opportunities throughout the match, and I feel I’ve managed my nerves well, especially in the final.”
The match itself was defined by solid execution from Harris and Taucher, who broke their opponents’ serve right from the start. They took an early lead, winning the first three games and closing out the match in just 67 minutes, thereby securing their sixth junior doubles title together this year.
Harris credited his support system for his success. He mentioned the crucial role played by Imran Aswat, his coach from the LTA’s National Age Group Programme, as well as personal coach Rob and his training partner Francesco during the tournament. With his family following his journey from home, Harris expressed gratitude for the encouragement that has accompanied him throughout his career.
In contrast, fellow British players Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid faced a tougher outcome in the men’s doubles event. The duo, champions across five previous US Open editions and with a combined total of 23 Grand Slam titles, fell short against Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez and Japan’s Tokito in a tense final, finishing with a scoreline of 6-1, 2-6, and a deciding super tiebreak of 10-6.
Earlier in the day, Hewett faced Fernandez in the semi-finals of the singles competition, where he was narrowly defeated 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-5. In the quad singles semi-finals, two-time US Open champion Andy Lapthorne also faced disappointment, losing to world number two Sam Schroder with a score of 6-1, 6-0.
As the tournament concludes, Harris’ victory marks not just a personal milestone but also a significant highlight in his promising career within wheelchair tennis. With his transition from junior competitions to the senior level on the horizon, fans and peers alike will be eager to see how his journey unfolds moving forward.
