Alexander Zverev is convinced that he has reached the pinnacle of men’s tennis at this moment, a belief that has been reinforced by his recent victory at the US Open. The German star clinched the championship by defeating American hopeful 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 trip to a major final.
The experience gap was evident in the 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 scoreline, which not only secured Zverev’s first US Open title but also extinguished any lingering hopes of an American man winning a major for the first time since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph. In a season that has been anything but ordinary, Zverev has emerged as the most consistent performer in the biggest tournaments.
Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final exit at the hands of Shelton after a prolonged injury lay‑off. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, fresh off a Wimbledon victory, withdrew from the US Open due to a pre‑tournament injury.
These setbacks to his two biggest rivals have given Zverev a clear path to dominate the headline headlines. Zverev’s resurgence began in 2024 when he finally broke through at the French Open, earning his first Grand Slam title.
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 25‑2, a statistic that bolsters his claim to be the sport’s current best.
"You have to look at the whole picture," Zverev told reporters. "With Jannik injured and Carlos just coming back from a four‑month lay‑off, I think the answer is yes, I’m the best right now. If both of them were healthy and playing at their peak, the answer might be different.
Four or five months ago, when they were both fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time. If everyone is at full strength, Jannik probably still has the edge. It’s as simple as that." The German champion was so absorbed in the flow of the match that he didn’t realize he had secured the title until Shelton’s final service return sailed long. When the umpire announced, “Game, set and match – Zverev,” the German player calmly walked back to the baseline, ready to receive the next serve.
Only after a few seconds did he register the roaring applause of the crowd, prompting a delayed smile and a rush to the net to embrace Shelton. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recounted his mental state during the closing stages: "I thought the score was 5‑1. I knew I’d broken him twice, but I believed he’d held only once. I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’ll take a relaxed service game now and tighten up on the next.’ It was lucky for me!" He added, "Coaches always say to play each point and forget the score.
I actually forgot the score, and it helped me stay present." With the upcoming release of the ATP rankings, Zverev is poised to close the gap on the top spot. 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 could see a drop of roughly 3,550 points, potentially paving the way for Zverev to become the 30th player in history to claim the world No. 1 ranking. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for the experience of playing on tennis’s biggest stage: "It’s an incredible feeling. Walking onto that court, there’s nothing like it.
I’ve never felt anything like that before. It’s addictive to be in a position like this," the 23‑year‑old said. The USTA has previously highlighted Taylor Fritz’s 2024 campaign as a sign of progress for American men’s tennis, especially after a comprehensive overhaul of its player‑development program in 2008. The governing body has also sought to broaden the sport’s demographic reach through a partnership with the American Tennis Association, aiming to increase 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 contest the US Open final since Arthur Ashe, whose name adorns the tournament’s iconic Centre Court, did so 54 years ago. Reflecting on his performance, Shelton said, "I’m not yet the player I want to be, but I’m a great competitor.
I stay focused for long stretches on the court, and I think that will help me in the future." Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion, now a commentator, praised Zverev’s evolution over the past year: "Looking back at his Grand Slam results, his game seemed to be regressing. But he has transformed into a more aggressive player. In this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row, and he looked completely comfortable. Shelton fought hard to take the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth gave Zverev the momentum he needed to coast to the finish line." Fans can continue to follow the sport through various streaming platforms, including NOW and the Sky Sports app, and can also attend the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, where top players will compete in another high‑profile event.