Alexander Zverev has declared that, after his triumph at the US Open, he now considers himself the best male tennis player 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 disappointed but cemented Zverev's status as the tournament's dominant figure.
The match marked Zverev's sixth appearance in a Grand Slam final, while it was Shelton's inaugural run to a major final. The experience gap was evident as Zverev prevailed 6‑3, 7‑6 (7‑2), 5‑7, 6‑2, snuffing out the United States' hopes of producing a male champion for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003.
This season has been tumultuous for the sport's usual frontrunners. Carlos Alcaraz, who captured the Australian Open earlier in the year, suffered a quarter‑final loss to Shelton after returning from a lengthy injury lay‑off. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, fresh off a Wimbledon victory, withdrew before the US Open due to a lingering injury.
With those two elite competitors sidelined or not at full strength, Zverev found a clear path to the title. Zverev's recent resume reads like a résumé of breakthrough moments.
He finally clinched his first Grand Slam at the French Open, then reached the final at Wimbledon, where he was bested by Sinner. In 2026 alone, his Grand Slam record stands at an impressive 25‑2, a statistic that bolsters his claim to being the sport's current leader. "You have to take everything into consideration," Zverev explained when asked about his standing.
"With Jannik injured and Carlos just coming back 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.
If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead. It's as simple as that." During the final, Zverev was so absorbed in his own rhythm that he did not initially realize he had clinched the championship when Shelton returned a serve that sailed long. The umpire's announcement of "Game, set and match Zverev" seemed to register only after the German player turned back to the baseline, prepared to receive the next serve.
It took a moment for him to understand why the crowd was rising to their feet, prompting a delayed smile and a rush to the net to congratulate Shelton. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Zverev recounted his mental state: "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—coaches always say to play each point and forget the score. Well, I forgot about the score and it helped me!" With the next edition of the ATP rankings due soon, Zverev is poised to make a serious push for the world No.
1 spot. The projected points total of 9,690 would leave him just 1,810 points behind Sinner. Over the remainder of the season, Zverev is expected to lose only about 1,080 points, while Sinner could drop roughly 3,550, potentially reshuffling the top of the leaderboard.
Shelton, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for the experience of playing on 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, reflecting on the emotional high of the final. The USTA has highlighted the progress of American players like Taylor Fritz, whose 2024 campaign signaled a resurgence after the organization overhauled its player‑development program in 2008. Additionally, the governing body has sought to broaden the sport's demographic reach through a partnership with the American Tennis Association, aiming to increase Black representation in a sport historically dominated by white athletes.
Shelton's presence in the final was historically significant: he became the first Black American man to compete in a US Open final since Arthur Ashe, whose name graces the tournament's main court, did so 54 years ago. "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 reflected. "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 finalist, who observed Zverev's evolution, praised the German's perseverance: "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 could signal a shift in the sport's power dynamics. Analysts will watch how he manages the pressure of a potential world No.
1 ranking, how he adapts his aggressive style against emerging talents, and whether he can sustain the momentum throughout the remainder of the season. For now, his confidence is high, his form is strong, and his belief that he is the best player in the world right now appears well‑founded. Fans can continue to follow Zverev's journey via streaming platforms, with live coverage available on services such as NOW and the Sky Sports App. The upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London, scheduled for 25‑27 September, will provide another stage for Zverev to showcase his talents against the world's elite, further testing his claim to the top of the tennis hierarchy.