Alexander Zverev used his US Open victory as a platform to send a clear message to the sport’s leading contenders, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, insisting that he is presently the best tennis player on the planet. The German star clinched the championship by defeating American Ben Shelton in a four‑set final on Sunday, a result that left the home crowd in New York visibly disappointed.
The match marked Zverev’s sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while Shelton was making his debut at that stage. The experience differential was evident as Zverev secured a 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 win, dashing any lingering hopes that an American man might capture the title for the first time since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph. The victory also reinforced Zverev’s dominance in the major‑tournament circuit this season, a year in which both Alcaraz and Sinner have struggled with injuries.
Alcaraz, the 2023 Australian Open champion, was forced out in the US Open quarter‑finals by Shelton after a lengthy lay‑off due to a shoulder problem. Sinner, fresh from a Wimbledon crown, withdrew before the tournament began because of a lingering injury.
In contrast, Zverev has enjoyed a relatively uninterrupted campaign, having finally broken through at the French Open to claim his first Grand Slam title and then reaching the Wimbledon final, where he fell to Sinner. His 2026 Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 25‑2, and he used those numbers to back up his claim of being the current world’s best.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev told reporters. "With Jannik injured and Carlos just coming back from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes. If both of them were healthy and at the peak of their games, maybe not. Four or five months ago, when they were fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time.
If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead. It’s as simple as that." Zverev’s concentration on the match was so intense that he did not realize he had already secured the title when Shelton’s return went long.
The umpire’s announcement of "Game, set and match, Zverev" seemed to catch him off guard; he walked back to the baseline, prepared to receive the next serve, before the crowd’s standing ovation finally registered. He then broke into a smile and rushed to the net to congratulate Shelton. In an interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recounted his momentary confusion: "I thought the score was 5‑1!
I knew I had broken him twice, but I thought he only held once. I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’m going to have a relaxed service game here and then I’ll get tight on the next one.’ It was lucky for me! It’s actually funny—tennis teachers always say play each point and forget the score.
Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" Looking ahead, Zverev is poised to mount a serious challenge for the world No. 1 ranking. When the next edition of the ATP rankings is released, he is projected to hold 9,690 points, trailing Sinner by just 1,810 points. Over the remainder of the season, Zverev is expected to lose only about 1,080 points, whereas Sinner could drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially narrowing the gap dramatically.
Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for the spotlight that comes with playing on tennis’s biggest stage. "It’s such a cool moment. Walking out onto that court today, there’s nothing like it. I’ve never felt anything like that before.
Yeah, it’s an addicting feeling being in positions like this," the 23‑year‑old said. The USTA has highlighted the progress of American players like Taylor Fritz, noting a broader overhaul of its player‑development program that began in 2008.
The governing body has also partnered with the American Tennis Association to increase Black representation in a sport that remains predominantly white. Shelton made history simply by stepping onto the court: he became the first Black American man to contest the US Open final in New York since Arthur Ashe, after a 54‑year interval. "I don’t think I’m anywhere near the player I want to be yet.
I think I’m a great competitor and I compete really well on the court," Shelton reflected. "I can stay focused and stay there for many, many hours. I think that will help me in the future." Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion also praised Zverev’s evolution: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable. I looked back at his Grand Slam results and his game seemed to be going backwards, but he has transformed himself into a more aggressive player.
In this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row. Shelton tried to change the narrative, but Zverev looked comfortable. Shelton did a great job taking the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth gave Zverev the momentum he needed, and he coasted from there." The US Open final not only showcased Zverev’s resurgence but also highlighted the shifting dynamics of men’s tennis, where injury setbacks and emerging talents are reshaping the hierarchy.
As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see whether Zverev can convert his current momentum into a sustained reign at the top, or whether Sinner and Alcaraz will recover fully and reclaim their positions as the sport’s premier figures. For viewers who missed the live action, tennis streams are available without a contract on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast from the O2 in London from September 25‑27 on Sky Sports.