Zverev Claims US Open Crown in New York
Zverev secured his second 2026 Grand Slam by defeating Ben Shelton, a victory he initially missed due to a misread of the score that he later attributed to his strategy of forgetting the points. The match also highlighted Zverev's determination to compete with his Type 1 Diabetes and Shelton's historic breakthrough as the first Black American man in a US Open final since 1972.
Yahoo Sports reveals Zverev’s post-match explanation for his momentary confusion, noting he believed the score was 5-1 due to a habit of ignoring the scoreboard. The report also highlights that the 29-year-old German required an insulin injection during the fourth set to manage his Type 1 Diabetes.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to GN sports/tennis (en-US), Shelton’s first Grand Slam final was defined by early nerves and critical double faults, despite his raw power and 140 mph serve. The report notes that while Zverev’s steady consistency prevailed, Shelton’s ability to generate crowd gasps confirms he has become a significant figure in American men’s tennis.
Source: Fox NewsYahoo Sports reports that the subdued atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium was so intense that Zverev initially failed to realize he had won the match. Social media reactions highlight his 'locked-in' performance, with fans praising his composure and precision despite the hostile home crowd.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to Yahoo Sports, Zverev admitted he believed the score was 5-1 rather than match point, which explains his muted celebration. The report also notes that his dominant campaign was aided by the absence of top rivals Alcaraz and Sinner, against whom he suffered his only two losses of the season.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports highlights that Zverev's disciplined performance effectively neutralized the home crowd's support, while noting that Ben Shelton pushed back strongly despite fatigue from a marathon match against Carlos Alcaraz. The report also confirms that American tennis legend Jimmy Connors served as the trophy presenter for the ceremony.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to GN sports/tennis (en-US), Zverev joins an elite historical group by becoming only the fourth male player in the Open Era to win two majors in a single calendar year. The report also highlights that he has now won six consecutive matches against Ben Shelton and leads the Race to Turin by 700 points.
Source: tennismajors.comYahoo Sports provides further context on the final set, noting that Zverev overcame a tense time violation warning before sealing the victory with a crisp backhand. The report highlights how the German immediately punished Shelton’s errors in the opening game of the decider after losing the previous set due to a critical missed forehand volley.
Source: Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports reports that Zverev's dominance was cemented by a 25-2 Grand Slam record in 2026 and a clean sweep of six straight victories against Shelton, with the German converting four of five break points while forcing 47 unforced errors from the American. The win also secures Zverev $5.5 million in prize money, while Shelton will leap to a career-high ranking of No. 5 on Monday's ATP list.
Source: Yahoo SportsGN sports/tennis (de) reports that Boris Becker labeled Zverev's delayed realization of victory as the "scene of the year" in sports, while also highlighting a mid-match controversy where Zverev was cautioned by the chair umpire for excessive ball-tipping during serves.
Source: WELTYahoo Sports reports that Zverev initially failed to register his victory, only realizing he had won the title after checking the scoreboard and looking toward the stands. He had been preparing to return a serve, unaware that the match had already concluded.
Source: Yahoo SportsIn his post-match interview, Ben Shelton publicly praised Zverev as potentially the best player in the world this year, crediting the German's superior work ethic and serving, according to Yahoo Sports. The American also extended congratulations to new USTA CEO Craig Tiley on his role in revitalizing the tournament.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to Yahoo Sports, Zverev was initially unaware he had won the match, adding a touch of humor to the conclusion of his second major of the year. The report also highlights the intense atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium, noting that the crowd’s support for Ben Shelton was so fervent it outshone cheers for the New York Knicks, even as the 23-year US men's drought extended into a 24th year.
Source: Yahoo SportsAccording to GN sports/tennis (de), Zverev was so focused that he failed to realize he had won until checking the scoreboard, a moment Boris Becker dubbed the 'scene of the year.' The report also highlights that Zverev has won 13 consecutive sets en route to the final and is now just 1,810 ranking points behind Jannik Sinner for the number one spot.
Source: n-tv.deAccording to GN sports/tennis (de), Zverev also becomes the second German man in history to win two Grand Slam titles in a single calendar year, joining Boris Becker, and he has narrowed the gap to world number one Jannik Sinner to just 1,810 points. The report notes that Zverev collected a record $5.5 million prize money and displayed ice-cold nerve in the fourth set after initially dropping the third to Shelton.
Source: NDR.deGN sports/tennis (en-US) reports that Zverev maintained his composure after a time violation protest in the fourth set, breaking Shelton’s serve to race to a 5-2 lead before closing out the match. The report also highlights the historic context of the final, noting Shelton’s status as the first Black man to reach the US Open final in over 50 years and the raucous support he received from fans eager to end a two-decade American men's drought.
Source: NBC NewsYahoo Sports highlights that Zverev’s victory extends the historic drought for American men, who have not won a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick in 2003. The report also notes Shelton’s frustration as he recorded 47 unforced errors and remains winless against the German in their six meetings.
Source: Yahoo SportsBBC Tennis reports that Zverev's victory marks the culmination of a transformative season, noting he seized the opportunity created by the injuries of rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The coverage highlights that the German star appeared momentarily surprised by his own triumph before breaking into a broad smile once his team confirmed the final score against Ben Shelton.
Source: BBC TennisUnder the bright lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alexander Zverev silenced the roaring crowd to secure his second Grand Slam title, etching his name beside Boris Becker in tennis history.
Source: SZ.de
