Alexander Zverev has publicly asserted that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now stands as the premier tennis competitor on the planet. The German star secured the championship by defeating American youngster 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 it was Shelton's inaugural appearance at this stage of a major. The contrast in experience 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 victory in 2003.
In a season that has already seen significant upheaval among the sport's elite, Zverev's victory carries extra weight. Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final exit at the US Open at the hands of Shelton after a lengthy injury lay‑off. World number one Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a fresh injury, despite having just claimed the Wimbledon title. With both Alcaraz and Sinner sidelined, Zverev emerged as the dominant force in the remaining Grand Slam events.
Zverev's own journey to this point has been a story of gradual ascent. He finally broke through to claim his first major at the French Open, then reached the Wimbledon final at the All England Club, where he was bested by Sinner. His 2026 Grand Slam record now stands at an impressive 25‑2, a statistic that bolsters his claim to be the current best player in the world.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained when asked about his status. "With Jannik injured and Carlos returning from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes. If they were both healthy and at the peak of their games, maybe not. Four or five months ago, when both were healthy, 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 match that he did not immediately realize he had clinched the title when Shelton's return sailed long. It was only after the umpire announced "Game, set and match Zverev" that the German champion turned back to the baseline, ready for Shelton's next serve.
The delayed reaction gave him a few seconds to comprehend the roaring applause from the crowd, after which he broke into a smile and rushed to the net to congratulate his opponent. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recounted his mental state during the closing stages: "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 to play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" Zverev's win positions him perfectly for a bid to become the 30th player to attain the world number one ranking. When the next ATP rankings are released, he is projected to hold 9,690 points, trailing Jannik 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 dramatically.
Shelton, for his part, expressed how much the experience meant to him: "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. He also highlighted the broader significance of his run, noting that he became the first Black American man to appear in a New York final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's iconic center court is named.
The USTA has been working to broaden the sport's appeal and diversify its talent pool. After a major overhaul of its player development program in 2008, the organization pointed to Taylor Fritz's 2024 campaign as evidence of progress. More recently, a partnership with the American Tennis Association was launched 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 praised the German's perseverance and recent improvements: "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 going backwards, but he has transformed himself into a more aggressive player. 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 from there." Zverev's victory not only adds another Grand Slam trophy to his résumé but also underscores his resilience after years of near‑misses and injuries. His ability to stay focused, adapt his strategy mid‑match, and capitalize on opponents' lapses demonstrates a mental toughness that is often the differentiator at the highest level of tennis.
Looking ahead, the upcoming ATP rankings will be a crucial barometer for Zverev's claim to the top spot. If the projected points hold true, he could close the gap with Sinner dramatically, especially if Sinner continues to battle injuries. The next few months will likely see Zverev aiming to solidify his position, while also preparing for the next Grand Slam season, where the competition is expected to be fierce. For fans wanting to follow Zverev's journey, live streams of his matches are available without contractual obligations on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Additionally, the Laver Cup will be broadcast from the O2 in London from September 25‑27, offering another opportunity to watch top‑level tennis action.