Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed, delivered a decisive performance on Sunday, overcoming eighth‑seeded American Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to capture his first US Open crown. The German secured the championship with a 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 win at New York's Flushing Meadows, adding a second Grand Slam title to his résumé after his triumph at Roland Garros earlier in the season. The climax of the match featured a bizarre moment on championship point. Shelton's return sailed long, and Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, struck the ball back across the court as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the scoreboard on the stadium screen did he realize he had already clinched the title. The incident underscored the intensity and concentration required at the highest level of the sport.
Zverev's achievements this year are already impressive: two Grand Slam victories, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals titles, seven ATP Masters 1000 crowns, 26 singles titles overall, and a stint as world No. 1. His recent statements to Sky Sports Tennis reflected a sense of relief and gratitude. "There has been so much suffering for my family at Grand Slam events that maybe 2026 should just be about enjoyment," he said.
"Everything is falling into place, and I couldn't be happier." He added that just three months prior, the idea of winning multiple majors in a single year would have seemed like a fantasy. "If someone had told me I'd win one Grand Slam in my career and nothing else, I would have signed the paper without hesitation," Zverev recalled. "Now, standing here with two majors in a matter of months, feels surreal." When asked about his momentary confusion on the final point, Zverev admitted, "I thought the score was 5‑1.
I knew I had broken him twice, but I believed he had held once. I was planning a relaxed service game before getting tighter on the next. It was lucky for me!" He also noted a common coaching mantra: "Play each point and forget the score." In this case, forgetting the score actually helped him stay present and win. Shelton entered the final with historic stakes.
He was attempting to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open triumph and only the second Black male champion after Arthur Ashe's 1975 victory. The crowd of 23,000 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium gave him a thunderous welcome, and the audience included celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Rami Malek, and James Bond legend Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on camera with the match clock showing a mere 0.07 seconds. Zverev's path to the final was grueling: he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court, the fourth‑longest total for any player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991.
He began the championship strongly, breaking Shelton's serve in the opening game and again on set point, establishing early dominance. Shelton struggled to generate break points in the first two sets, while Zverev, seeded No. 1 for the first time at a major, relied on a powerful serve and aggressive baseline play to keep the American at bay. Historically, Shelton had never beaten Zverev, losing all five prior meetings.
He also entered New York without a win over either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz—two of the sport's biggest names—until his remarkable run at this tournament, which gave him confidence heading into the final. After securing the first set, Zverev intensified his play in the second, dominating the tiebreak to move within striking distance of the trophy. Shelton fought back in the third, creating three break points and eventually converting the second to force a decisive fourth set.
However, Zverev's momentum proved too strong. He broke early in the final set and, despite occasional ball‑bouncing violations—statistics show he spent roughly three hours of his total court time bouncing the ball between serves—he maintained his composure and sealed the match in 3 hours and 33 minutes. Off‑court drama added a human element to the story. Shelton's girlfriend, U.S.
women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, made a rapid 200‑mile journey from a Washington football pitch to Queens to watch the final, only to see Zverev clinch the title. Her effort highlighted the personal sacrifices families make for elite sport. Following his victory, Zverev paid heartfelt tribute to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who refused to let his type‑1 diabetes define his future.
"When doctors told us my four‑year‑old son’s life and sport would be limited, my mother said, ‘My son will be whatever he wants to be,’" Zverev said. "Her strength has been the cornerstone of my career." He also commended Shelton, noting, "Ben, you're an incredible player and person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I’ve told you you'll be back many more times.
If I had to bet, I’d wager you’ll lift this trophy one day." The head‑to‑head record now stands at 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th title and 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent. After years of doubt about his ability to win a major, Zverev ends 2026 with two Grand Slam crowns, cementing his status among the sport’s elite.
Shelton, reflecting on the loss, expressed optimism: "Sascha, congratulations on your second Grand Slam this year. Your serving and movement are phenomenal. You work harder than anyone I know, and I’m genuinely happy for you. This is just the beginning for me; I’ll be back." Former British No.
1 Tim Henman praised Zverev’s evolution, saying, "His perseverance and the improvements in his game over the past twelve months are remarkable. He transformed into a more aggressive player, and his head‑to‑head dominance over Shelton—five straight wins—showed his confidence." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli highlighted the experience gap: "The difference in experience was massive.
Shelton’s first Grand Slam final pressure, combined with a few early errors, gave Zverev an edge. Zverev made only one unforced error in the opening set, making it extremely difficult for Shelton." The match also underscored the shifting landscape of men's tennis, with Zverev capitalising on the injury‑related absences of rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner throughout the season.
His newfound freedom from the label of "best player never to win a major" after his French Open triumph allowed him to play with a relaxed confidence that carried him through New York. Fans can continue to follow tennis action without contractual obligations via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which will also broadcast the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September.