Great Britain’s Joe Salisbury didn’t want to celebrate too much after winning the US Open doubles title as he felt that would be “inappropriate” following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, happened on Thursday.
In the US Open men’s doubles final, Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram defeated Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 7-6 (4) 7-5. On Thursday, the Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen passed away at the age of 96.
“I think we felt like we should just show a sign of respect and just acknowledgement of the situation because it’s a huge moment in our history,” Salisbury said. “We felt like we just wanted to show a sign of respect for that.
I think it didn’t feel appropriate to be overly celebrating or at least showing that too much, because obviously everybody is back home and around the world is in mourning at the moment, and it’s a very sad time. Obviously, we are very happy with the success that we have had, but, yeah, it’s a sad time at the same moment”.
Salisbury, Skupski paid tribute to the Queen
The US Open men’s doubles final featured two British players. After losing the US Open final, Skupski said it was “strange playing” when his whole country was in the state of deep sadness.
“It is a bit strange playing when the country is in mourning,” Skupski said. “She was a great servant and we will remember she was an incredible woman”. Meanwhile, Salisbury and Ram now have three Grand Slam titles as a duo.
In 2019, Salisbury and Ram won their first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. A year ago, Salisbury and Ram lifted their second Grand Slam title at the US Open. Now, Salisbury and Ram have successfully defended their US Open title and have two US Open titles in their collection.
