Alexander Zverev, the top‑seeded German, ended American hopes on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton in a four‑set final to capture his first US Open crown. Zverev overpowered the eighth‑seeded United States player, winning 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2 on the iconic hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
The triumph adds a New York major to Zverev’s résumé, which already included a French Open title earlier in the season. The match concluded in an unusual fashion: on match point, Shelton’s return sailed long, but Zverev, apparently unaware that the point had ended, bounced the ball back across the net as if another rally were about to begin.
Only after glancing at the scoreboard on the arena’s big screen did he realise he had already clinched the championship. Zverev’s list of achievements now reads: two Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals victories, seven Masters 1000 crowns, 26 tour‑level singles titles and a former world No. 1 ranking – a résumé that suggests a future return to the top of the rankings may be imminent. In his post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev reflected on the emotional weight his family has carried at Grand Slam events.
"There has been so much suffering for the Zverev family at the major level; maybe 2026 is the year we finally get to enjoy it," he said, smiling. "Everything is falling into place and I’m unbelievably happy." He added a hypothetical perspective: "If three months ago someone had told me I would win just one Grand Slam in my career, I would have signed that contract immediately and never questioned it.
To stand here with two majors in a matter of months is simply incredible." When asked about his momentary confusion on championship point, Zverev laughed, "I thought the score was 5‑1. I knew I had broken him twice, but I believed he had held once.
I was planning a relaxed service game and then to get aggressive on the next. It was lucky for me! Coaches always tell you to play each point and forget the score – I forgot the score and it actually helped." Shelton entered the final with a historic mission: to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph, and only the second Black man to achieve the feat after Arthur Ashe’s 1975 victory.
He received a thunderous welcome from a crowd of roughly 23,000 spectators, many of whom were gathered in the stadium named after Ashe. Among the celebrity spectators were actors Brad Pitt and Rami Malek, as well as former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, who was caught on a mischievous camera shot with the match clock displaying a mere 0.07 seconds remaining. Zverev’s path to the final was physically demanding – he logged 19 hours and 38 minutes on court throughout the tournament, the fourth‑longest total for a player reaching a Grand Slam final since 1991. He started the championship match aggressively, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and again on set point to seize early control.
The first two sets unfolded without Shelton earning a single break point, as Zverev, playing as the world No. 1 seed for the first time at a major, leaned on his powerful serve to keep the American at bay.
Historically, Shelton had lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev, and he entered New York without a victory over either Stefanos Tsitsipas or, most notably, Carlos Alcaraz – a fact that had fueled his confidence after a breakthrough run earlier in the tournament. After securing the first set, Zverev continued to ride his newfound freedom, shedding the label of "the best player never to win a major" that had haunted him before his French Open win.
He dominated the second‑set tiebreak, moving within one set of the title. Shelton fought back valiantly in the third, creating three break‑point opportunities and eventually converting the second to claim the set 7‑5. However, Zverev’s momentum proved decisive. Early in the fourth set he broke Shelton’s serve again, and the German’s relentless ball‑bouncing – he spent roughly three hours of his 23‑plus hours on court this fortnight bouncing the ball between serves – even resulted in a time‑violation warning.
Off the court, Shelton’s partner, USWNT star Trinity Rodman, performed a logistical feat by traveling 200 miles from a football pitch in Washington to Queens in time to sit in his box, only to watch Zverev lift his second Grand Slam trophy. The final lasted three hours and 33 minutes, after which Zverev paused to savor the moment before celebrating with his team. In his victory speech, he gave heartfelt thanks to his mother, Irina, a former professional player who refused to let his type‑1 diabetes dictate his future. "When your four‑year‑old son is diagnosed with diabetes and doctors tell you his life and sport will be limited, it takes a very strong mother to say, ‘My son will be whatever he wants to be,’" Zverev said.
"If he wants to be a tennis player, he’ll be a tennis player. This illness will not define us. My mother is the strongest person I know." Zverev also praised Shelton, stating, "Ben, you’re an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I told you you’ll be back many more times.
If I had to bet all my money, I’d bet you’ll lift this trophy one day." The head‑to‑head record now stands 6‑0 in Zverev’s favour, marking his 26th career title, his 60th victory over a top‑10 opponent, and his second major of the year – a remarkable turnaround after years of doubt about his ability to win a Grand Slam. Shelton, whose country had not produced a male Grand Slam champion in over two decades, responded graciously: "Sascha, congratulations on the two weeks, the second Grand Slam and two in one year. Your serving and movement are incredible.
You work harder than anyone I know. You and your team do things the right way, and I’m sincerely happy for you.
I’m just getting started and I’ll be back here again." Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, highlighted Zverev’s evolution: "The perseverance and the way Zverev’s game has improved over the last 12 months is amazing. His Grand Slam results were slipping, but he transformed into a more aggressive player. He had beaten Shelton five times in a row, and Shelton had to change the narrative, but Zverev looked comfortable." Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli added, "The experience gap was massive.
In the first game of the final, Shelton won the toss, served, fell to 30‑30, missed an easy shot and double‑faulted, giving Zverev the first break. It’s not easy to play your first Grand Slam final in front of a home crowd and try to please everyone. Zverev made only one unforced error in the first set; that made Shelton’s life very difficult. There’s no shame in losing to Zverev when he’s playing like this." The match will be remembered not only for Zverev’s historic win but also for the narrative of resilience, family support, and the shifting landscape of men’s tennis as the sport looks ahead to future battles on the big stage.