BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU alumnus Neal Skupski, currently ranked No. 9 in the world for ATP doubles, has advanced to the Men’s Doubles Championship at the Australian Open, partnering with Louisiana native Christian Harrison. This marks a significant achievement for the duo, who are competing together for only the second time.
Skupski and Harrison are set to take on home favorites Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans on Friday, January 30, with the match scheduled to begin no earlier than 9:30 p.m. CT. Their recent training session at the LSU Tennis Complex last month helped facilitate their on-court chemistry ahead of their Grand Slam debut.
Neal Skupski made history during his freshman year in 2008, becoming the first LSU player to earn all-America status in tennis. Throughout his collegiate career, he garnered this prestigious honor four times, equally divided between singles and doubles. His accolades also include five All-SEC awards, illustrating his significant impact within the conference.
Coached by his brother Ken Skupski, who also had a remarkable collegiate career at LSU from 2003 to 2007, Neal has seen impressive successes as a professional player. Ken earned first team All-SEC honors throughout his four years and holds the record for most combined wins in LSU history, boasting a career record of 213-93.
On the pro tour, Neal has achieved a career-high ATP doubles ranking of No. 1 and is a three-time major champion. With back-to-back Wimbledon titles in mixed doubles in 2021 and 2022, he further added a Men’s Doubles title in 2023, solidifying his status as a top player. He has reached the finals in three of the last four major tournaments and is eager to secure his first title in Australia.
Christian Harrison, hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana, comes from a family deeply steeped in tennis. His aunt, Pattie, was a standout player at LSU from 1983 to 1986, and he has competed alongside his brother Ryan, a former French Open doubles champion. Harrison’s family legacy continues with his father and grandfather, both of whom are inducted into the Louisiana Tennis Association Hall of Fame, alongside his uncle and multiple aunts.
Fans can stay updated on Skupski and Harrison’s progress by following @LSUTennis on Instagram, Facebook, and X. This partnership not only embodies the spirit of collegiate legacy but also highlights the potential of local talent competing on the world stage.