On Sunday, Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski clinched first place in the Pepperstone ATP doubles team rankings by lifting the Rolex Paris Masters trophy. It’s the first time either player has been part of the year-end No. 1 duo.
The Dutchman and Briton got their partnership off to a quick start at the start of the season and haven’t looked back. The duo have won seven titles this year, including triumphs at three ATP Masters 1000 events.
“[It means] a lot, of course. It was one of the goals we set for ourselves this year. I think we achieved all the goals we set for ourselves in January, so that means the world to us,” Koolhof said. “I think we’ve been playing good tennis from the start in Australia and we’ve managed to keep it going so far. We still have a week to go, so let’s keep that race going in Turin.
Koolhof and Skupski started 2022 lifting trophies at ATP 250 events in Melbourne and Adelaide. This set the tone for the year, in which they posted a 54-17 record.
Their biggest wins of the season came at the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Madrid, Montreal and Paris. They also triumphed in Doha and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Other notable results include championship game stints in Miami, Barcelona and the US Open.
“It’s been great with Wes from day one really in Australia. We’re still growing. We have a few setbacks here and there but we’re bouncing back right away,” Skupski said. “heard very well off the pitch. I think that’s one of the keys to freezing on the pitch. We keep working, things seem to be bearing fruit. Hopefully we can continue in Turin.
Individually, Koolhof will also become No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP doubles rankings for the first time on Monday.
The duo n°1 of the end of the year will try to rhythm their season out of the ordinary as during the Nitto ATP Finals. Koolhof will appear at the season finale for the second time and Skupski will make his debut. Koolhof lifted the trophy at the 2020 year-end championships with Nikola Mektic.
