Alexander Zverev has publicly asserted that he is the preeminent tennis player on the planet right now, a claim that follows his triumph at the US Open. The German star secured the championship by defeating American Ben Shelton in the final on Sunday, a result that left the New York crowd visibly disappointed.
The match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's debut at that stage. The contest unfolded as a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 victory for Zverev, effectively quashing any lingering hopes that an American man might capture a major title for the first time since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open win. Throughout the 2026 season, Zverev has been the most consistent performer in the majors. His rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have both been hampered by injuries.
Alcaraz, who claimed the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final loss to Shelton after a lengthy lay‑off, while world No. 1 Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a fresh injury, despite having just secured Wimbledon.
These circumstances have cleared a path for Zverev to dominate the biggest stages. Zverev's breakthrough came at the French Open, where he captured his first Grand Slam title. He followed that success with a runner‑up finish at Wimbledon, where he fell to Sinner in a hard‑fought final.
His 2026 Grand Slam record now stands at 25 wins and just two defeats, a statistic that bolsters his belief that he is currently the best player in the world. "You have to consider the whole picture," Zverev explained when asked about his claim. "With Jannik injured and Carlos just returning from a four‑month lay‑off, I think it's fair to say I'm on top right now. If both of them were fully healthy and at the peak of their games, the answer might be different." He added, "Four or five months ago, when Jannik and Carlos were both fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time.
So, in a fully healthy field, Jannik would still be ahead of me. It's as simple as that." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he did not immediately realize he had clinched the title when Shelton mishit a return.
The umpire's announcement of "Game, set and match, Zverev" was met with a standing ovation from the crowd, and the German champion only later registered the applause, smiling and rushing to the net to congratulate Shelton. 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 his serve twice, but I believed he had held only once. I was planning a relaxed service game and then to get aggressive on the next one.
It turned out to be lucky for me!" He laughed, "Coaches always tell us to focus on each point and ignore the score. I actually ignored the score and it helped me." Looking ahead, Zverev is poised to challenge for the world No.
1 ranking. When the next edition of the ATP rankings is released, he is projected to have 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, while Sinner may drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially narrowing the gap dramatically. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his excitement at having reached tennis' biggest stage. "It's an incredible feeling.
Walking onto that court is unlike anything I've ever experienced. 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 evidence of progress within American tennis, especially after a comprehensive overhaul of its player development program that began 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 traditionally been dominated by white athletes.
Shelton made history simply by stepping onto the court, becoming the first Black American man to contest a US Open final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's main stadium court is named. "I don't think I'm anywhere near the player I want to be yet. I consider myself a strong competitor and I perform well on court," Shelton reflected. "I can stay focused for long periods, and that will help me in the future." Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion commented on Zverev's evolution: "The perseverance and improvement in Zverev's game over the past year have been remarkable.
Looking back at his Grand Slam results, his performance seemed to be slipping, but he has transformed into a more aggressive player. In this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times consecutively, and he looked completely comfortable.
Shelton fought hard to take the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth gave Zverev a surge of energy, and he rode that momentum to close out the match." Zverev's victory not only adds a second Grand Slam title to his résumé but also solidifies his claim to being the sport's leading figure at this moment. As the ATP rankings update later this month, the tennis world will watch closely to see whether the German can finally usurp Sinner and claim the top spot permanently. The narrative of his rise—marked by resilience, tactical refinement, and a newfound aggressiveness—offers a compelling story of a player who has turned setbacks into stepping stones toward greatness. For fans eager to follow the next chapters of this rivalry, live streams are available on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, with additional events like the Laver Cup scheduled at London's O2 Arena from September 25‑27, broadcast live on Sky Sports.