Alexander Zverev won the US Open on Sunday by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final, securing the title in New York. The 29-year-old German backed up his victory with the claim that he is currently the best player in the world, though he tempered that assertion by acknowledging the health status of his rivals.
Zverev’s path to the title came as both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two prominent rivals, dealt with injury troubles. Sinner withdrew before the tournament after winning Wimbledon, while Alcaraz exited in the quarterfinals following a four-month layoff from injury. Shelton, playing in his first major final as a 23-year-old American, could not overcome the German’s experience and precision on the court.
The German’s dominance in Grand Slam matches this season has been remarkable. Zverev carries a 25-2 record in Grand Slam matches and has reached three major finals in 2026, winning two of them, the French Open and now the US Open. He also reached the final at Wimbledon but lost to Sinner. This trajectory represents a dramatic shift for a player whose career had appeared to stall.
Zverev’s Cautious Claim To The Top
When asked about his status as the world’s best player, Zverev offered a nuanced answer rather than an uncomplicated boast. “With Jannik Sinner being injured and Carlos Alcaraz coming back from injury after four months, right now, probably yes,” he said. Yet he also acknowledged that if both rivals were fully healthy, the picture would change. “So if everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead. It’s as simple as that.”
Zverev tied his assessment to his rivals’ fitness rather than claiming an unconditional advantage. Tim Henman, the 2004 US Open semifinalist, also discussed the changes in Zverev’s game during Sky Sports’ coverage. Henman noted that Zverev’s game was moving backward just 12 months ago, but the German has become far more aggressive and consistent at the major championships.
The Advantage of Momentum and Focus
Zverev also described losing track of the score during the final. He said he thought he still had another service game to play when the match ended. Late in the match, he believed the score stood at 5-1 when it was actually much closer to the finish. “I thought the score was 5-1! I knew that I had broken him twice, but I thought he only held once,” Zverev explained. Zverev said he had been expecting a relaxed service game before getting tight in the next one. He described the misunderstanding as lucky for him.
When Shelton sent a service return long in the fourth set, the umpire announced “Game, set and match Zverev.” The German initially headed toward the baseline, ready to receive another serve, before registering what had happened. He then smiled and went to the net to embrace Shelton. Zverev told Sky Sports that forgetting the score had helped him, comparing the experience with the familiar coaching advice to play each point.
Shelton’s Historic Breakthrough And Future Path
Shelton’s run to the final marks significant progress for American men’s tennis. Sky Sports described him as the first Black American man to play in the New York final since Arthur Ashe. The report also noted the U.S. Tennis Association’s player-development overhaul in 2008 and a partnership with the American Tennis Association aimed at building Black representation in the sport.
The 23-year-old acknowledged the emotional weight of playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium and expressed his hunger to return to major finals. Shelton described walking onto the court as an experience unlike any he had felt before and said being in such positions was addictive. Despite the loss, he emphasized his commitment to improvement, saying he does not believe he has reached his full potential yet but values his ability to compete and stay focused through long matches.
Zverev’s Path To World No. 1
When the latest rankings update is released, Zverev will hold 9,690 points and trail Sinner by just 1,810 points. The German will drop only 1,080 ranking points for the rest of the season, while Sinner faces a drop of 3,550 points. Sky Sports presents those figures as an opportunity for Zverev to challenge for the top ranking. They describe the points position around the next rankings update, not a completed change at No. 1. Sinner remains the player Zverev identifies as ahead when healthy.
