Alexander Zverev has publicly declared that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now considers himself 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 feeling a deep sense of disappointment. The match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's inaugural run to that stage.
The experience gap was evident as Zverev prevailed 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2, snuffing out the United States' hopes of producing a male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick's victory in 2003. Throughout the 2026 season, Zverev has been the most consistent presence in the latter stages of the majors. His rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have both been hampered by injuries.
Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, withdrew from the US Open after a grueling quarter‑final loss to Shelton, still recovering from a lengthy lay‑off. World No.
1 Jannik Sinner, fresh off a Wimbledon title, pulled out before the tournament began due to a sudden injury. These absences left Zverev as the dominant force on the biggest courts.
Zverev's breakthrough came at the French Open, where he finally claimed his first Grand Slam crown. He followed that success with a runner‑up finish at Wimbledon, losing to Sinner in a tightly contested final. His 2026 Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 25 wins to just 2 losses, a statistic that bolsters his belief that he is currently the best player in the world. "You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained.
"With Jannik injured and Carlos just coming back from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes. If they were both healthy and at the peak of their game, maybe not. Four or five months ago, when both 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." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he didn't immediately realize he had clinched the title when Shelton's return sailed long.
The umpire's announcement of "Game, set and match – Zverev" was met with a stunned pause as the German player turned back to the baseline, ready for the next serve. It took him a moment to comprehend the roaring ovation from the crowd, after which he broke into a grin and rushed to the net to embrace his opponent. 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 teachers always 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 edition of the ATP rankings will award him 9,690 points, leaving him just 1,810 points behind Sinner. Projections suggest Zverev will lose only about 1,080 points for the remainder of the season, while Sinner is expected to drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially opening the door for Zverev to ascend to the top spot. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for having experienced 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," the 23‑year‑old said. His run to the final also marked a historic moment, as he became the first Black American man to contest the New York 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 been working to broaden its talent pool, citing Taylor Fritz's 2024 campaign as evidence of progress following a major overhaul of its player development program in 2008.
In partnership with the American Tennis Association, the USTA aims to increase Black representation in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by white athletes. Reflecting on Zverev's evolution, former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion remarked, "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 another chapter to his career narrative. After years of near‑misses and injuries, he has finally solidified his status among the elite. His powerful baseline game, improved serve, and newfound aggressiveness have made him a formidable opponent on any surface.
As the season progresses, the tennis world will watch closely to see whether he can sustain this momentum and finally claim the No. 1 ranking. For fans wishing to relive the match or catch upcoming events, streaming options are available without a contract on NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Additionally, the Laver Cup will be broadcast live from the O2 Arena in London from 25‑27 September on Sky Sports, offering more high‑level tennis action for viewers worldwide.