Alexander Zverev is convinced that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now stands as the premier tennis talent on the planet. The German star secured the championship by defeating American youngster Ben Shelton in a four‑set final on Sunday, a result that left the New York crowd in a state of stunned disappointment.
The match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's inaugural appearance at that stage. The experience gap was evident as Zverev prevailed 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2, snuffing out the United States' hope of producing a male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003.
In a season that has been anything but ordinary, the 29‑year‑old has emerged as the most consistent performer at the sport's biggest events. Earlier in the year, Carlos Alcaraz, the Australian Open winner, suffered a quarter‑final exit at the hands of Shelton after a prolonged injury layoff, while world No.
1 Jannik Sinner withdrew before the tournament began due to a lingering injury sustained after his Wimbledon victory. With both of his main rivals sidelined, Zverev seized the opportunity to cement his place at the summit of the game.
Zverev's breakthrough came the previous year when he finally captured his first major title at Roland Garros. He then reached the Wimbledon final, where he fell to Sinner in a tightly contested match. His 2026 Grand Slam record now stands at an impressive 25 wins and only two defeats, a statistic that bolsters his belief that he is, at this moment, the best player in the world.
"You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained. "With Jannik injured and Carlos just returning from a four‑month layoff, I would say yes, I am the top player right now.
If both of them were healthy and performing at their peak, the picture might be different. Four or five months ago, when they were fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time. So, if everyone is at full strength, I think Jannik still has the edge.
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 championship. When Shelton's return sailed long, the umpire announced, "Game, set and match – Zverev," but the German champion continued to prepare for the next serve, only pausing when the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. He then broke into a smile and rushed to the net to embrace Shelton, finally registering the magnitude of his achievement. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Zverev admitted, "I thought the score was 5‑1!
I knew I had broken him twice, but I thought he had only held serve 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! It's actually funny – tennis coaches always say play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" The victory places Zverev in a strong position to challenge for the world No.
1 ranking when the next edition of the ATP rankings is 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 could see a drop of roughly 3,550 points, potentially opening the door for Zverev to ascend to the top spot. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for having experienced the sport'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.
Yeah, it's an addictive feeling being in positions 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 the organization overhauled its player development program in 2008. In addition, the governing body has worked 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 made history simply by stepping onto the court on Sunday; he became the first Black American man to contest the US Open final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's centerpiece court is named.
"I don't think I'm anywhere near the player that I want to be yet. I think I'm a great competitor and I compete really well out there on the court," Shelton reflected. "I can stay focused and maintain my level for many, many hours.
I think that's going to help me in the future moving forward." Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 finalist also 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 was looking back at his Grand Slam results and his game seemed to be regressing, but he has transformed himself into a more aggressive player.
When you consider this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row. Shelton had 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 the momentum he needed. He coasted from there." Overall, Zverev's US Open victory not only adds another major title to his résumé but also fuels his confidence that he is, at present, the leading force in men's tennis.
As the season progresses, the tennis world will watch closely to see whether he can convert this momentum into the coveted world No. 1 ranking, while his rivals work to regain health and form. The narrative of Zverev's resurgence, combined with the emerging talent of players like Shelton, promises an exciting and competitive future for the sport.