Zverev defeats Shelton in four sets to win his first US Open title

By Al Jazeera Staff and The Associated Press. Published On 13 Sep 202613 Sep 2026.

Key points

• Alexander Zverev has crushed the dreams of the USA's Ben Shelton and a partisan American crowd by winning the US Open men's singles title in New York.
• "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title, and then won two in the span of three months, " he remarked.
• The 23-year-old American was sombre and spoke regarding the backing of his family.
• But Zverev was too good in majors this year and apparently did not even know how good he was.
• While praising his younger opponent, the world number two remarked Shelton will "win this tournament one day".

For context, the German won his second major championship and kept American men without a Grand Slam title since 2003, with a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 triumph on Sunday.

Zverev finally broke through in the majors by winning this year's French Open and followed up by adding the title in New York that he so painfully let slip away in 2020.

For context, the number one seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, he capitalised on Shelton's shaky start in his first major final, played a almost flawless tiebreak on serve, and then turned back Shelton's comeback attempt in front of a crowd that desperately cheered him on.

As well as the first Black man to do so since Arthur Ashe in 1968, shelton was trying to become the first American man to win the title since Andy Roddick in Flushing Meadows in 2003.

But Zverev was too good in majors this year and apparently did not even know how good he was. He finished the match on his serve but did not seem to realise it, dropping back behind the baseline as if set to return. Only a few moments afterwards did he figure out he had won, raising his arms in celebration.

In practice, the usually stoic Zverev became emotional in his post-match comments while talking regarding the backing of his coaching team and family.

"I think God has seen how hard we have worked and suffered, and the pain we went through. 2026 was the outcome for everything that we went through before."

Zverev went on to speak regarding his mother and how she assisted him when he was diagnosed with diabetes in his childhood.

I want to thank one other person who has never watched my matches, but is the most significant person in my life. When your four-year-old son gets diagnosed with diabetes, and that sport will be tough, it takes a highly solid mother to say that he will be whatever he wants to be.

"This illness will not define us. I am happy we worked through it and we are doing things that we are doing right now. Thanks to her as well."

For context, the 23-year-old American was sombre and spoke regarding the backing of his family.

"To do this with my family by my side. These four guys have dedicated their lives to my career. It is an unmatched level of commitment."

For now, zverev defeats Shelton in four sets to win his first US Open remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.