Alexander Zverev is confident that, after his triumph at the US Open, he now stands as the premier male tennis competitor on the planet. The German star secured the championship by defeating American teenager Ben Shelton in the final on Sunday, a result that left the home crowd in New York disappointed. This victory marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while Shelton was making his debut at that stage, a disparity that was evident in the 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 scoreline. Shelton's win in the third set briefly revived hopes for an American champion, but Zverev's dominance in the fourth set ultimately extinguished any prospect of a first U.S.
male winner since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. The 29‑year‑old German has been the most consistent force in the majors this season, especially given the unusual circumstances that have plagued his main rivals. Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final defeat to Shelton after a prolonged injury lay‑off, while world No.
1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament before it even began, despite having just claimed the Wimbledon title. Those absences cleared a path for Zverev, who had previously broken through to claim his first Grand Slam at Roland Garros and then reached the Wimbledon final, where he was bested by Sinner. Zverev's 2026 Grand Slam record now stands at an impressive 25 wins to just two losses, a statistic that bolsters his claim to be the best player in the world at this moment. "You have to take everything into consideration," he told reporters.
"With Jannik injured and Carlos coming back from a four‑month lay‑off, right now, probably yes. If they were both healthy and at the peak of their games, maybe not.
Four or five months ago, when both were 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 immediately realize he had clinched the title when Shelton returned a serve long.
The umpire's announcement of "Game, set and match, Zverev" seemed to register only after the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. Zverev paused, smiled, and then rushed to the net to embrace his opponent, acknowledging the moment with genuine surprise and joy.
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Zverev admitted his misreading of 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 light‑hearted observation about tennis coaching: "Teachers say play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot the score and it helped me!" The victory also positions Zverev on the cusp of the world No.
1 ranking. When the next edition of the ATP rankings is released, he will hold 9,690 points, trailing Jannik Sinner by just 1,810 points. Over the remainder of the season, Zverev is projected to lose only about 1,080 points, whereas Sinner is expected to drop roughly 3,550 points, potentially allowing the German to overtake the top spot. Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for 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 run to the final also carries historic significance: he became the first Black American man to appear in a US Open final since Arthur Ashe, after a 54‑year gap. The USTA has highlighted the progress of American men’s tennis, pointing to Taylor Fritz's 2024 campaign as evidence of a broader resurgence.
The governing body has also intensified efforts to diversify the sport, partnering with the American Tennis Association to increase Black representation in a sport traditionally dominated by white athletes. Reflecting on Zverev's evolution, a former US Open semifinalist from 2004 noted, "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 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 so comfortable. Shelton did a great job taking the third set, but losing his serve early in the fourth set settled Zverev down and gave him more energy.
He coasted from there." Beyond the immediate aftermath, Zverev's win may have broader implications for the ATP tour. His aggressive baseline play, improved serve, and newfound mental composure suggest a player who has learned from past defeats and is now able to sustain high performance across the grueling four‑week Grand Slam schedule.
Analysts predict that his confidence will spill over into the upcoming hard‑court swing, potentially reshaping the hierarchy of men's tennis for the remainder of the year. For fans wanting to relive the match, the tournament is available for streaming without a contract on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Additionally, the Laver Cup will be staged at the O2 Arena in London from September 25‑27, with live coverage on Sky Sports, offering another opportunity to watch the sport's elite compete on a global stage.