Alexander Zverev insists that, after his triumph at the US Open, he now stands as the premier tennis talent in the world. The German star secured the championship by defeating American rising star 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 contesting his first.
The experience gap was evident as Zverev prevailed 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2, dashing the hopes of an American man winning a major for the first time since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory. The 29‑year‑old has dominated the major‑tournament circuit this year, a season in which the usual front‑runners have been hampered by injuries. Carlos Alcaraz, the 2024 Australian Open champion, bowed out in the US Open quarter‑finals after a lengthy lay‑off, while world No.
1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a lingering injury after his Wimbledon win. In that context, Zverev’s victory feels even more significant.
Earlier in the year Zverev finally captured his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, and he followed it up with a runner‑up finish at Wimbledon, where he fell to Sinner. His 2026 Grand Slam record now stands at an impressive 25 wins to just 2 losses, a statistic that bolsters his claim of being the current best player.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev told reporters. "With Jannik injured and Carlos just returning from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes. If both were healthy and at the peak of their games, maybe not.
Four or five months ago, when they were both 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." The German champion was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he didn’t initially realize he had clinched the title when Shelton’s return sailed long.
As the umpire announced, "Game, set and match – Zverev," the German player trudged back to the baseline, ready to receive the next serve. It took a few seconds for the reality of the standing ovation to register, prompting a delayed smile and a rush to the net to embrace Shelton. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recalled his 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 say play each point and forget the score.
Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" With the upcoming release of the new ATP rankings, Zverev is poised to make a serious push for the world No. 1 spot. The projected tally would give him 9,690 points, leaving him just 1,810 points behind Sinner. Over the remainder of the season Zverev is expected to lose only about 1,080 points, whereas Sinner could drop roughly 3,550, potentially narrowing the gap dramatically.
Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his excitement at having a taste of the sport’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," said the 23‑year‑old. The USTA has previously highlighted Taylor Fritz’s 2024 campaign as evidence of progress, following a comprehensive overhaul of its player‑development program launched in 2008.
The governing body has also sought to broaden the sport’s demographic reach, announcing a partnership with the American Tennis Association last year to increase Black representation in a sport that has historically been dominated by white athletes. Shelton’s appearance in the final was historic in its own right.
He became the first Black American man to compete in a New York final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe – the very figure after whom the tournament’s centerpiece court is named. Reflecting on his own performance, Shelton admitted, "I don’t think I’m anywhere near the player 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." 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 was looking back at his Grand Slam results and his game was going backwards, but he has transformed himself to be more aggressive. 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 in the first game of the fourth settled Zverev down and gave him more energy.
He coasted from there." Fans can continue to follow tennis action without a contract on the NOW platform or via the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast live from The O2 in London from 25‑27 September on Sky Sports.