Alexander Zverev is convinced that he now occupies the summit of men’s tennis, a belief that grew stronger after he clinched the US Open crown. The German star overcame American hopeful Ben Shelton in the championship match on Sunday, delivering a performance that left the New York crowd in a state of disappointment. This showdown marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's debut at that level, and the contrast in experience was evident.
Zverev secured the title with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 victory, dashing the United States' aspirations of producing a male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. The 29‑year‑old has been the most consistent force in the major tournaments this season, a year that has seen two of his principal rivals sidelined or struggling with injuries. Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, bowed out in the US Open quarter‑finals after a hard‑fought loss to Shelton, still recovering from a lengthy lay‑off.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a lingering injury, despite having just secured the Wimbledon title. In this context, Zverev's triumph appears even more dominant.
Zverev’s path to this moment has been a story of perseverance. He finally broke through to win his first Grand Slam at the French Open, then reached the final at Wimbledon, where he fell to Sinner. His record in major matches this year is an impressive 25‑2, a statistic that bolsters his claim to being the best player in the world right now.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained when asked about his standing. "With Jannik injured and Carlos still coming back from a four‑month lay‑off, I think I’m the top player at the moment. If both of them were fully healthy and playing at their peak, maybe the answer would be different.
Four or five months ago, when they were both fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time. So, 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 rhythm of play that he didn’t immediately realize he had secured the championship. After Shelton’s return went long, the umpire announced, "Game, set and match Zverev," but the German champion continued to stand at the baseline, preparing for the next serve. Only after a few seconds did he register the roaring applause from the crowd, prompting a delayed smile and a quick rush to the net to embrace Shelton.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev admitted his confusion about the scoreline: "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!" He also reflected on a piece of tennis wisdom: "Coaches always say play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" This candid comment highlighted how his focus on point‑by‑point execution, rather than the overall tally, contributed to his composure under pressure.
Looking ahead, Zverev is now poised to challenge for the world No. 1 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 see a drop of roughly 3,550 points, creating a realistic pathway for Zverev to overtake the top spot. Shelton, despite the loss, expressed enthusiasm about his experience on tennis’s biggest stage. "It’s such a cool moment.
Walking out onto that court today, there’s nothing like it. I’ve never felt anything like that before. It’s an addictive feeling being in positions like this," the 23‑year‑old said, emphasizing his hunger for more high‑stakes moments.
The USTA has been pointing to the progress of American players such as Taylor Fritz, whose 2024 campaign was highlighted as evidence of the effectiveness of the federation’s revamped player‑development program launched in 2008. Additionally, the governing body has been working to broaden the sport’s demographic reach.
A partnership announced last year with the American Tennis Association aims to increase Black representation in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by white athletes. Shelton’s presence in the final was historic in its own right.
He became the first Black American man to compete in the New York final in 54 years, a milestone that harkens back to the era of Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament’s iconic centre court is named. Shelton reflected on his journey: "I don’t think I’m anywhere near the player I want to be yet.
I think I’m a great competitor and I compete well on the court. I can stay focused for many, many hours, and that will help me in the future." Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 finalist Tim Smyczek praised Zverev’s evolution over the past year. "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable," he said. "I looked back at his Grand Slam results and his game seemed to be regressing, but he has transformed himself into a more aggressive player.
In this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row. Shelton tried to change the narrative, but Zverev looked completely comfortable. Shelton did a great job taking the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth gave Zverev momentum, and he rode that energy to the finish." Zverev’s victory not only adds a major title to his résumé but also positions him as a serious contender for the coveted world No. 1 ranking.
His performance throughout the 2024 season—marked by consistency, resilience, and a willingness to adapt his game—suggests that he may finally be at the peak of his powers. As the tennis world looks ahead to the next Grand Slam events, all eyes will be on whether Zverev can sustain this level of play and convert his confidence into a sustained reign at the top of the sport.