Alexander Zverev has publicly stated that he believes he is the best tennis player on the planet at the moment, a confidence boost that follows his triumph at the US Open. The German star secured the championship by defeating American Ben Shelton in a four‑set final on Sunday, a result that left the New York crowd disappointed but underscored Zverev's resurgence on the biggest stages. The match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's inaugural run to a major final.
The experience gap was evident as Zverev prevailed 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2, effectively dashing hopes of an American male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. The victory not only gave Zverev his first US Open title but also reinforced his claim to being the sport's current leader. The 2026 season has been turbulent for several of Zverev's chief rivals. Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final loss to Shelton after returning from a four‑month injury lay‑off.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, fresh off a Wimbledon victory, withdrew before the tournament began due to a lingering injury. These absences cleared a path for Zverdv to dominate the majors, a narrative he referenced when discussing his standing.
Zverev's recent Grand Slam résumé is impressive: after finally breaking through at the French Open to claim his first major, he reached the Wimbledon final at the All England Club, where he fell to Sinner. His 2026 Grand Slam record stands at 25 wins and just two losses, a statistic he cites as evidence of his current superiority.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev told reporters. "With Jannik injured and Carlos coming back from injury after four months, right now, probably yes. Both of them healthy and both of them at the top of their game, maybe not. But if we say right, right now with Jannik being injured and Carlos coming back from injury, maybe.
I mean, four, five months ago when both of them were healthy, I wasn't. 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 did not immediately realize he had clinched the title when Shelton's return sailed long. Only after the umpire announced "Game, set and match Zverev" did the German pause, glance at the cheering spectators, and finally break into a grin before sprinting to the net to embrace his opponent.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev admitted his score‑keeping was off: "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, teachers in tennis say play each point and forget about the score. Well I forgot about the score and it helped me!" Looking ahead, Zverev is poised to challenge for the world No.
1 ranking. The next ATP rankings release will place him at 9,690 points, just 1,810 points behind Sinner. Projections suggest Zverev will lose only about 1,080 points for the remainder of the season, whereas Sinner is expected to drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially opening a window for Zverev to ascend to the top spot.
Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for the experience of playing on tennis's grandest 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 noted the historic significance of his appearance: he became the first Black American man to contest the US Open final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's main court is named. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has been working to broaden the sport's appeal and diversify its talent pool.
After highlighting Taylor Fritz's 2024 campaign as a sign of progress, the USTA announced a partnership with the American Tennis Association to increase Black representation in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by white athletes. Shelton's run to the final serves as a tangible example of that initiative bearing fruit. Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion also weighed in on Zverev's evolution. "The perseverance and the way Zverev's game has improved over the last 12 months," he said.
"I was looking back at his Grand Slam results, and his game was going backwards. But he has transformed himself to be more aggressive, and when you reflect on 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 getting that third set, but losing his serve first game of the fourth settled Zverev down and gave him more energy.
He coasted to the line from there." Beyond the immediate aftermath, Zverev's victory could have broader implications for the ATP tour. His aggressive baseline play, improved serve, and renewed mental toughness suggest a player who has refined his weaknesses and built a more complete arsenal.
Analysts expect him to be a formidable contender in the upcoming Masters 1000 events and the next Grand Slam, the Australian Open, where he will likely face a fully fit Alcaraz and Sinner. For fans wanting to follow Zverev's journey, the matches will be streamed on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, with additional coverage of related events like the Laver Cup scheduled at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September. As the season unfolds, the tennis world will watch closely to see whether Zverev's self‑proclaimed status as the best player holds up against a fully healthy and motivated field of rivals.