Alexander Zverev has publicly stated that, in his view, he is the pre‑eminent tennis player on the planet right now, a claim that follows his triumph at the US Open. The German star secured the championship by defeating American youngster Ben Shelton in the final on Sunday, a result that left the home crowd in New York deeply disappointed. The match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's debut at that stage.
The experience gap was evident in the four‑set contest, which ended 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2. Shelton's spirited performance gave American fans a fleeting hope of witnessing the first male US Open champion since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003, but Zverev ultimately prevailed.
The 29‑year‑old has dominated the major tournaments this season, a year that has seen his chief rivals sidelined by injury. Carlos Alcaraz, the 2024 Australian Open champion, was eliminated in the US Open quarter‑finals by Shelton after a prolonged lay‑off, while world No.
1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began after sustaining an injury shortly after his Wimbledon victory. Zverev's own journey to this point has been a story of steady progress.
He captured his first Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier in the year, then reached the Wimbledon final at the All England Club, where he fell to Sinner. In 2026, his Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 25 wins to just 2 losses, a statistic that bolsters his confidence in claiming the top spot. "You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained when asked about his claim.
"With Jannik Sinner injured and Carlos Alcaraz just returning from a four‑month lay‑off, right now I would say yes, I am the best. If both of them were healthy and at the peak of their games, perhaps 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 still has the edge.
It's as simple as that." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in the immediate task that he did not instantly realise he had clinched the title when Shelton mishit a return. The umpire's proclamation of "Game, set and match, Zverev" was met with a brief pause as the German champion turned back to the baseline, ready to receive the next serve. Only after a few seconds did he comprehend the standing ovation from the crowd, prompting a delayed smile and a rush to the net to congratulate Shelton.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recounted his mental state: "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 coaches always say play each point and forget the score.
Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" Looking ahead, Zverev finds himself in a strong position to challenge for 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 may drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially narrowing the gap considerably.
Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for the experience of playing 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 said. His run to the final also carried historic significance: he became the first Black American man to contest a 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 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 USTA has partnered with the American Tennis Association to increase Black representation in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by white athletes.
Reflecting on Zverev's evolution, a former US Open semi‑finalist from 2004 noted, "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 seemed to be regressing, but he has transformed himself into a more aggressive competitor. In this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row, and he looked completely comfortable.
Shelton did a great job taking the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth set settled Zverev, gave him momentum, and he coasted from there." Zverev's victory, his confidence in being the current best player, and the shifting dynamics among the sport's elite set the stage for an intriguing battle for the top ranking as the season progresses. Fans can continue to follow the drama on streaming platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, and may even catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, broadcast live on Sky Sports.