Alexander Zverev says he now stands as the premier tennis talent on the planet after clinching the US Open crown. The German star overcame American Ben Shelton in the championship match on Sunday, a result that left the home crowd in New York visibly disappointed. It was Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while Shelton was making his debut at that stage.
The experience gap was evident in the 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 scoreline, which extinguished any lingering hopes that the United States might produce its first male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph. The 29‑year‑old has been the most consistent presence in the majors this season. Earlier in the year, world No.
1 Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his Australian Open victory, suffered a quarter‑final loss to Shelton after a lengthy injury lay‑off. Meanwhile, fellow top‑ranked Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a lingering injury, despite having captured Wimbledon not long before. Those absences cleared a path for Zverev, who had finally broken his own Grand Slam drought at the French Open and then fell to Sinner in the Wimbledon final.
Zverev’s record in 2026 Grand Slam matches stands at an impressive 25‑2, and he feels the numbers back up his claim of being the best player in the world at this moment. "You have to look at the whole picture," he explained.
"With Jannik injured and Carlos just returning from a four‑month lay‑off, I think I’m the top guy right now. If both of them were fully fit and at their peak, the hierarchy might shift. Four or five months ago, when they were healthy, I was losing to Jannik all the time.
So, with everyone at 100%, Jannik probably still has the edge. It’s that simple." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he didn’t realize he had secured the championship when Shelton mishit a return deep into the court.
The umpire’s announcement of "Game, set and match, Zverev" barely registered as the German player shuffled back to the baseline, ready to receive the next serve. Only after a brief pause did he notice 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 admitted his confusion about the score: "I thought it was 5‑1. I knew I had broken him twice, but I assumed he’d only held once.
I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’ll have a relaxed service game now and tighten up on the next.’ It turned out to be lucky for me!" He added, "Coaches always say play each point and ignore the scoreboard. I ignored it, and it actually helped me." Looking ahead, Zverev is poised to challenge for the world No.
1 ranking. When the next ATP rankings are published, he is expected to sit on 9,690 points, trailing Jannik Sinner by just 1,810 points. Over the remainder of the season, Zverev is projected to lose only about 1,080 points, whereas Sinner could see a drop of roughly 3,550 points, giving the German a realistic shot at the top spot. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his excitement at having tasted the sport’s biggest stage: "It’s an amazing feeling.
Walking onto that court today was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s addictive to be in moments like this," the 23‑year‑old said.
The USTA has previously highlighted Taylor Fritz’s 2024 campaign as evidence of progress within American tennis, especially after a sweeping overhaul of its player‑development program that began in 2008. The governing body also announced a partnership with the American Tennis Association last year to broaden Black representation in a sport that has historically been dominated by white athletes.
Shelton’s appearance in the final was historic in its own right. He became the first Black American man to compete in a New York final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament’s main court is named. "I’m not yet the player I want to be, but I’m a strong competitor.
I can stay focused for long stretches on the court, and that will help me moving forward," Shelton reflected. Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion also praised Zverev’s evolution: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable. Looking back at his Grand Slam results, his game seemed to be regressing, but he’s transformed into a more aggressive player. In this match, Zverev had beaten me five times in a row, and I had to change the narrative.
He looked comfortable throughout. Shelton fought hard to take the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth gave Zverev momentum, and he rode that wave to the finish line." Fans can continue to follow the sport without a contract through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, and they can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27 via Sky Sports live coverage.