Top‑seed Alexander Zverev put an end to American aspirations on Sunday, defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set showdown to capture his first US Open crown. The German powerhouse outplayed the eighth‑seeded American, sealing the final 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. Having already secured the French Open title earlier in the season, Zverev added a New York triumph to his résumé, cementing a remarkable year. The match concluded in an unusual fashion: Shelton’s return on championship point sailed long, but Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, returned the ball to the opposite side of the court as if another game were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the scoreboard did he realize he had already won the championship. Zverev’s growing trophy cabinet now boasts two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 singles titles and a brief stint at world No.
1 – with many wondering if he will reclaim that top spot soon. In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, a visibly elated Zverev reflected on the long‑standing challenges his family had faced at the major‑tournament level. “There has been so much suffering for the Zverev family at Grand Slam events that perhaps 2026 is the year we should simply enjoy it,” he said. “Everything is falling into place.
I’m unbelievably happy.” He added, “Three months ago, if someone had told me I would win just one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed the paper immediately and never questioned it. To stand here with two majors in a matter of months is simply incredible.” When asked about his momentary confusion on championship point, Zverev laughed, “I thought the score was 5‑1! I knew I had broken him twice, but I believed he’d only held once. I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’ll have a relaxed service game here and then get tight on the next.’ It was lucky for me!
It’s funny – coaches always tell you to play each point and forget the score. I forgot the score and it actually helped me!” Shelton entered the final with a historic mission: to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and only the second Black man to capture a major after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 triumph. He was greeted by a thunderous ovation from a crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium, with celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Rami Malek and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan in attendance. The road to the final had been grueling for both competitors.
Zverev logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court throughout the tournament – the fourth‑longest cumulative time for a player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991 – yet he started the championship match aggressively. He broke Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton, who had never broken Zverev’s serve in their five previous meetings, struggled to generate break opportunities in the first two sets.
Zverev, playing as the No. 1 seed at a major for the first time, leaned on his powerful serve and baseline aggression to keep the American at bay. Although Shelton had yet to defeat either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz before this tournament, his run in New York had raised hopes. Yet Zverev, now free of the “best player never to win a major” label after his French Open success, seized the second‑set tiebreak, bringing the title within reach.
Shelton fought back valiantly in the third set, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to claim the set 7‑5. However, the momentum had shifted. Zverev, who had benefited from the injuries and scheduling issues of rivals Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner earlier in the season, broke early in the fourth set and never looked back. The German’s habit of bouncing the ball between serves – a ritual that accounted for roughly three hours of his total court time – even resulted in a time‑violation warning during the match.
Meanwhile, Shelton’s partner, USWNT star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat by traveling over 200 miles from a Washington football field to Queens in time to sit in the box with him, though the effort proved futile as Zverev clinched the title in three hours and 33 minutes. After the victory, Zverev paid heartfelt tribute to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who refused to let his type‑1 diabetes dictate his future. “When your four‑year‑old son is diagnosed with diabetes and doctors tell you his life and sport will be limited, it takes an incredibly strong mother to say, ‘My son will be whatever he wants to be,’” Zverev said. “If he wants to be a tennis player, he’ll be a tennis player.
This illness will not define us.” He also praised Shelton, stating, “Ben, you’re an amazing player and an amazing person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I already told you you’ll be back many more times. If I had to bet all my money, I’d bet you’ll lift this trophy one day.” The head‑to‑head record now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and his second Grand Slam of the year – a remarkable turnaround after years of doubt about ever winning a major.
Shelton, who was barely a year old the last time an American man won a Grand Slam, responded graciously: “Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam and two in one year. What you’re doing is incredible – the way you serve, the movement, the work ethic. You and your team do everything the right way, and I’m sincerely happy for you.
I’m just getting started and I’ll be back here again.” Former British No. 1 Tim Henman highlighted Zverev’s evolution, noting, “His perseverance and the way his game has improved over the last 12 months is impressive. A year ago his Grand Slam results were slipping, but he transformed into a more aggressive player.
He’s beaten Shelton five times in a row, and today he looked completely comfortable.” Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the experience gap: “The difference in their experience was massive. In the first game, Shelton won the toss, served, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and then double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break. It’s not easy to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd and try to please everyone. Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set, making it extremely difficult for Shelton.
There’s no shame in losing to Zverev when he’s playing like this.” Fans can stream the match and future tennis events on NOW and the Sky Sports app, with the Laver Cup scheduled to be broadcast from the O2 in London from 25‑27 September.