Alexander Zverev is convinced that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now occupies the summit of men’s tennis. The German star secured the championship by defeating American Ben Shelton in the 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 contesting his first. The experience differential was evident in the four‑set scoreline: 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2. Shelton’s valiant effort halted America’s quest for a male champion at Flushing Meadows, a feat not achieved since Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003. Zverev’s path to the title was shaped by a season in which several of his chief rivals were either sidelined by injury or struggling to regain form.
Carlos Alcaraz, the 2023 Australian Open champion, exited the US Open in the quarter‑finals after a lengthy lay‑off, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a lingering injury despite having captured Wimbledon earlier in the year. In contrast, the 29‑year‑old German displayed a level of consistency that has been missing from the men’s draw.
Earlier in 2026, Zverev had broken through at Roland Garros, earning his first major title, and then reached the final at Wimbledon, where he fell to Sinner. His Grand Slam record for the year stands at an impressive 25‑2, a statistic that fuels his belief that he is currently the best player in the world.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained. "With Jannik injured and Carlos just returning from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes.
If both of them were healthy and at the peak of their game, maybe not. Four or five months ago, when they were both fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time. So if everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead.
It’s as simple as that." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he didn’t realize he had clinched the championship when Shelton’s return sailed long. The umpire’s announcement of "Game, set and match Zverev" seemed to register only after the German had already moved back to the baseline to receive the next serve.
It took a few moments for him to understand why the crowd was rising to their feet, at which point he broke into a smile and rushed to the net to embrace Shelton. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recounted his mental state: "I thought the score was 5‑1! I knew that 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—coaches always tell you to play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" The victory positions Zverev on the cusp of a historic climb to the world No.
1 ranking. When the next edition of the ATP rankings is published, 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 see a drop of roughly 3,550 points, potentially opening the door for Zverev to overtake the Italian. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for having reached tennis’s biggest stage.
"It’s such a cool moment. Walking out on that court today, there’s nothing like it.
I’ve never felt anything like that before. Yeah, it’s an addictive feeling being in positions like this," the 23‑year‑old said. He also reflected on his historic presence: by stepping onto Centre Court, he became the first Black American man to contest the US Open final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the main stadium is named. The USTA has highlighted the progress of American players like Taylor Fritz as evidence of its revamped player‑development program, which was overhauled in 2008.
In addition, the governing body has pursued greater diversity through a partnership with the American Tennis Association, aiming to increase Black representation in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by white athletes. Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion, who observed Zverev’s evolution, praised the German’s perseverance: "The way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable. I was looking back at his Grand Slam results and his game seemed to be regressing, but he has transformed himself into a more aggressive player.
In this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row. Shelton had to change the narrative, but Zverev looked so comfortable. Shelton did a great job taking the third set, but losing his serve in the first game of the fourth gave Zverev the momentum he needed. He coasted from there." Beyond the immediate aftermath, Zverev’s win adds a new chapter to his career narrative.
After years of being labeled a perpetual runner‑up—most notably his loss to Novak Djokovic at the 2021 US Open—he finally captured his second Grand Slam crown, confirming his status as a true contender. His improved serve, sharper baseline aggression, and more strategic point construction have all been cited by analysts as key factors in his recent success.
Looking ahead, Zverev will need to sustain this high level across the remaining ATP events, including the indoor hard‑court swing and the year‑ending ATP Finals. Maintaining physical health will be crucial, as the demanding schedule can quickly erode momentum.
If he can stay injury‑free and continue to refine his tactical approach, the prospect of ending the year as world No. 1 appears increasingly realistic. For fans eager to follow the unfolding drama, live streams are available on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, with additional coverage of upcoming events like the Laver Cup at The O2 in London scheduled for 25‑27 September.