Alexander Zverev has declared that, following his triumph at the US Open, he now considers himself the premier tennis talent on the planet. The German star secured the championship by defeating American Ben Shelton in a four‑set final on Sunday, a result that left the home crowd in New York disappointed. This match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while Shelton was making his debut at that stage, and the experience gap 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 presence in the major tournaments this season, a year that has seen former world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, the 2024 Australian Open champion, bow out in the US Open quarter‑finals after a long injury lay‑off, and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdraw before the event due to a pre‑tournament injury despite having captured Wimbledon earlier in the year. Zverev’s own journey this year has been a story of redemption: after finally breaking through to claim his first major title at the French Open, he reached the final at Wimbledon, where he was bested by Sinner.
His 2026 Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 25‑2, and Zverev believes that, given the current circumstances, he is the best player in the world. "You have to take everything into consideration," he explained.
"With Jannik Sinner injured and Carlos Alcaraz only just 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 fit, I was losing to Jannik all the time. If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead.
It's as simple as that." Zverev was so absorbed in the match that he did not immediately realize he had clinched the title when Shelton mishit a return. Only after the umpire announced "Game, set and match – Zverev," did the German player turn back to the baseline, ready for Shelton's serve, and finally understand the standing ovation from the crowd. He smiled, ran to the net and embraced his opponent, acknowledging the moment with humility. In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Zverev admitted his confusion about the score: "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!" He added a note of humor, recalling a common tennis teaching: "Teachers in tennis say play each point and forget about the score. Well, I forgot about the score and it helped me!" This anecdote highlights his mental focus and ability to stay present, traits that have helped him rise to the top of the rankings. Looking ahead, Zverev is poised to challenge for the world No.
1 spot. The upcoming ranking update will place him at 9,690 points, just 1,810 points behind Sinner. Projections suggest Zverev will lose only about 1,080 points for the remainder of the season, whereas Sinner is expected to drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially narrowing the gap dramatically.
Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his excitement at having reached tennis's biggest stage. "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. His performance also carries historical significance: he became the first Black American man to appear in the New York final in 54 years, the last being Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's iconic centre court is named. The USTA has highlighted this milestone as part of its broader effort to diversify the sport, building on a partnership with the American Tennis Association to increase Black representation in a sport traditionally dominated by white athletes. Former US Open semi‑finalist and 2004 champion reflected on Zverev's evolution over the past year: "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 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 may signal a shift in the balance of power on the ATP tour. With Alcaraz still recovering from injury and Sinner dealing with his own physical setbacks, the German’s blend of power, precision, and tactical maturity positions him as a leading contender for the year‑end No.
1 ranking. His recent aggressive style—characterized by a stronger serve, more decisive baseline play, and a willingness to finish points at the net—has earned praise from analysts who note a marked improvement from the more defensive approach he displayed earlier in his career.
The broader context of American tennis also warrants attention. While the USTA has pointed to Taylor Fritz’s 2024 campaign as evidence of progress, the organization continues to revamp its player development program, initially overhauled in 2008, to nurture homegrown talent.
Initiatives aimed at expanding the sport’s reach into under‑represented communities, coupled with increased funding for junior development, aim to produce the next generation of U.S. contenders capable of challenging the European dominance that has defined the sport for the past decade.
For fans eager to relive Zverev’s triumph, the match is available for streaming on platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, and live coverage of upcoming events like the Laver Cup at The O2 in London (September 25‑27) will also be broadcast via Sky Sports. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Zverev to see whether he can sustain his form, capitalize on his momentum, and perhaps finally claim the world No.
1 ranking he believes he deserves.