Alexander Zverev says his US Open triumph makes him the world’s leading tennis player for the moment.
The German defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in his sixth Grand Slam final. Shelton was competing in his first, and the result ended American hopes of a first men’s US Open champion since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Quick facts
- Zverev is 29 years old.
- The victory was his first US Open title and his second major championship of 2026.
- He has won 25 of his 27 Grand Slam matches this season.
- Shelton was playing in his first major final.
Zverev has been the standout performer at the majors during a campaign disrupted for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, the Australian Open champion, lost to Shelton in the quarter-finals after missing four months with injury, while world No 1 Sinner withdrew before the tournament after winning Wimbledon.
The breakthrough came for Zverev at the French Open, where he claimed his first Grand Slam title. He then made the final at the All England Club, only to lose to Sinner.
With a 25-2 record in Grand Slam matches in 2026, Zverev feels entitled to call himself the best player in the world right now.
“Everything has to be weighed up,” he said. “Jannik is injured and Carlos is only just returning after four months out, so at this exact moment, probably yes. If they are both fit and playing their best tennis, perhaps not.
“Four or five months ago, when they were both healthy, I was not the best. Jannik was beating me every time. If everyone is fit, I still believe Jannik is ahead. It is that straightforward.”
Zverev’s concentration was so complete that he failed to realise he had won when Shelton sent a return beyond the baseline.
After the umpire declared the match over, Zverev walked towards the baseline as though he were preparing to receive another Shelton serve. Several seconds passed before he understood why the crowd was on its feet applauding.
He then smiled, belatedly grasped what had happened and sprinted to the net to hug Shelton.
“I thought the score was 5-1,” Zverev said. “I knew I had broken him twice, but I thought he had held serve only once.
“I was telling myself that I could enjoy a calm service game before feeling the pressure in the next one. It worked in my favour.
“Tennis coaches always say to focus on each point and ignore the score. I did exactly that by accident, and it helped me.”
