Alexander Zverev has publicly asserted that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now stands as the premier tennis player on the planet. The German star secured 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. This match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's inaugural major final, and the contrast in experience was evident in the 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 victory that ended America's hopes of crowning a male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. The 29‑year‑old has dominated the major‑tournament landscape this season, a year in which his chief rivals have been sidelined by injury.
Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final loss to Shelton after a lengthy lay‑off, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a fresh injury after his Wimbledon triumph. Zverev, who broke through to claim his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open and later reached the Wimbledon final only to fall to Sinner, has compiled a remarkable 25‑2 record in Grand Slam matches in 2026. When asked about his status, Zverev explained, "You have to take everything into consideration.
With Jannik injured and Carlos just returning from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, I would say yes, I'm the best. If both 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. So if everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead.
It's as simple as that." This candid assessment underscores his confidence while acknowledging the depth of competition when his rivals are fully fit. During the climax of the US Open final, Zverev was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he did not initially realize he had clinched the title when Shelton mishit a return. Only after the umpire announced "Game, set and match, Zverev," did the German pause, glance at the cheering spectators, and finally break into a smile before rushing to the net to embrace his opponent.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, he admitted, "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 say play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" Looking ahead, Zverev is poised to challenge for the world No. 1 ranking.
The upcoming release of the ATP rankings will see him sit on 9,690 points, trailing Jannik Sinner by just 1,810 points. 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 narrowing the gap dramatically. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed enthusiasm about his breakthrough moment on 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 remarked.
He also reflected on his personal development, noting, "I don't think I'm anywhere near the player that I want to be. I think I'm a great competitor. I think I compete really well out there on the court. I'm able to stay focused and stay there on the court for many, many hours.
I think that's going to help me in the future moving forward." The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has highlighted the progress of American players such as Taylor Fritz, whose 2024 campaign was cited as evidence of the nation's rising standards following a comprehensive overhaul of its player development program initiated in 2008. Additionally, the USTA has pursued greater diversity through a partnership with the American Tennis Association, aiming to increase Black representation in a sport that has historically been dominated by white athletes.
Shelton's appearance in the final was historically significant, as he became the first Black American man to reach the New York final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's centerpiece court is named. Former US Open semi‑finalist from 2004 offered his perspective on Zverev's resurgence: "The perseverance and 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 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 early in the fourth settled Zverev down and gave him more energy.
He coasted to the line from there." Beyond the immediate aftermath, Zverev's victory adds a compelling chapter to his career narrative, illustrating how a player can evolve from a promising talent into a dominant force when circumstances align. His ability to capitalize on his rivals' injuries, combined with a renewed aggressive style, suggests that he may indeed be the leading figure in men's tennis at this moment. Whether he can maintain this position once his competitors return to full health remains to be seen, but his confidence and recent performances provide a strong foundation for continued success. For fans wishing to follow the sport, live streaming options are available without contractual obligations on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, while the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.