Alexander Zverev is convinced that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now stands as the premier tennis player on the planet. The German star clinched the championship by defeating American Ben Shelton in the final on Sunday, a result that left the home crowd in New York feeling disappointed. This match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's debut at that stage, and the contrast in experience was evident in the 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 victory that extinguished the United States' hopes of producing a male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick's 2003 win.

The 29‑year‑old has been the most consistent performer in the major tournaments this year. The season has seen Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier, bow out of the US Open in the quarter‑finals after a lengthy injury lay‑off, losing to Shelton.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner also withdrew before the tournament began due to injury, despite having just secured the Wimbledon title. In this context, Zverev's path to the crown appeared clearer.

Zverev's breakthrough moment came at the French Open, where he finally secured his first Grand Slam title. He then reached the final at Wimbledon, where he was bested by Sinner.

His 2026 Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 25‑2, reinforcing his belief that he is currently the best player in the world. "You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained.

"With Jannik injured and Carlos returning from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes. If both of them were healthy and at the peak of their game, maybe not. Four or five months ago, when they were both fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time. So if everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead.

It's as simple as that." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in the point‑by‑point battle that he did not realize he had already secured the title when Shelton's return sailed long. When the umpire announced, "Game, set and match, Zverev," the German player calmly walked back to the baseline, prepared to receive the next serve. It took him a few moments to understand why the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. He eventually broke into a smile and rushed to the net to embrace Shelton.

In an interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev recounted his thoughts during the match: "I thought the score was 5‑1! I knew I had broken him twice, but I thought he only held 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 about the score. Well, I forgot about the score and it helped me!" Looking ahead, Zverev is now in a strong position to challenge for the world No. 1 ranking. When the next edition of the ATP rankings is published, 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 allowing Zverev to overtake the top spot. Shelton, for his part, expressed enthusiasm about experiencing the sport's biggest stage once more. "It's such a cool moment. Walking out on 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, following 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, announcing a partnership with the American Tennis Association last year 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 New York 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.

I think I'm a great competitor. I think I compete really well out there on the court," Shelton remarked. "I'm able to stay focused and stay there on the court for many, many hours. I think that's going to help me in the future moving forward." Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion reflected on Zverev's evolution: "The perseverance and the way Zverev's game has improved over the last 12 months is remarkable.

I was looking back at his Grand Slam results, and his game was going backwards. But he has transformed himself to be more aggressive, and when you reflect on this matchup, Zverev had beaten Shelton five times in a row. Shelton had to change the narrative, but Zverev looked so comfortable. Shelton did a great job getting that third set, but losing his serve in the first game of the fourth settled Zverev down and gave him more energy.

He coasted to the line from there." Beyond the immediate aftermath, Zverev's victory adds another chapter to his career narrative. After years of being labeled a perennial runner‑up, his ability to finally capture a major title in New York underscores his mental resilience and tactical growth. His powerful serve, improved backhand, and willingness to attack the net have all contributed to a more rounded game that can challenge any opponent on any surface. The win also reshapes the competitive landscape for the remainder of the season.

With both Alcaraz and Sinner dealing with injuries, the field is relatively open, offering Zverev a realistic chance to consolidate his position at the top. Analysts suggest that if he maintains his current form and stays injury‑free, he could dominate the ATP Tour through the end of the year, potentially adding more titles to his résumé. Fans can continue to follow Zverev's journey via live streams on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be broadcast from the O2 Arena in London from September 25‑27, also on Sky Sports.

This expanded coverage ensures that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can keep up with the evolving storylines that define the sport's elite tier.