US Open 2026: Zverev goes first class from Paris to New York

"I hope one day we’re all gonna lift that trophy up together" Alexander Zverev uttered those words to his team moments after suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final. Six years later, he finally completed that quest, having already turned another long-held dream into reality on Court Philippe-Chatrier in June.

"I think the scars of the 2020 final, they kind of disappeared after I won in Paris," he admitted after lifting the trophy. Whereas before winning in Paris, I felt a lot of stress all the time, because there was always a question mark: ‘Will I ever win one?’ What I think now is just more of a joy to play those kinds of finals."

Experience and quiet confidence

A crowning achievement to underline a transformation that now feels complete. That was the story of Alexander Zverev’s fortnight at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The standout performer at the sport's biggest events this season, the current world No.2 reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, won Roland-Garros, finished runner-up at Wimbledon and has now added the US Open title to his résumé. After years of carrying the unwanted label of the greatest player never to win a Grand Slam, Zverev is finally reaping the rewards of his newfound consistency.

"I think the more often that you get to that stage, the more normal it becomes, which is something that you should never take for granted," he explained after his quarter-final victory. "I think it's a very special feeling when it becomes normality."

That sense of freedom and renewed mindset may well have saved him from an early exit in New York. Across his opening two rounds, he spent more than nine and a half hours on court.

"I think the improvement has been quite dramatic for me", he said ahead of the final. "It's a great thing, because I really started off the tournament, and I was, like, Well, this is pointless because I'm not going to do anything here, and here I am sitting and preparing for a Sunday final."

His final performance perfectly reflected the qualities that have defined his game over the past year. Nearly untouchable behind his serve, commanding from the baseline on both offence and defence, calmer at the net and exceptionally composed in the key moments, the German controlled proceedings throughout, aside from a third set that briefly reignited the hopes of home favourite Ben Shelton. The end result was a convincing 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 victory after 3 hours and 33 minutes.

At 29 years old, he became just the second German man to win the US Open after Boris Becker in 1989 and only the fourth player in the Open Era to capture his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season.

"I want to thank my team," he said during the trophy ceremony. "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title, and now we won two within a span of three months."

"I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before, so thank you guys. You guys are absolutely amazing, and I couldn't be here without you guys."

After spending the previous two seasons largely in the shadow of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Zverev has stepped firmly into the spotlight in 2026. A deserved reward for a season that has brought him 53 victories, including 25 at Grand Slam level, although the attention still takes some getting used to.

So much so that he did not even realise he had won the championship on match point.

"In that moment, I was in the zone a lot. I didn't hear noise at all," Zverev shared. "I was in this kind of tunnel where I just didn't hear anything. Also, when the crowd is loud, it's impossible to hear the umpire, so I didn't hear that she said, ‘Game, set, match’. At the end of the day, I just forgot the score. I just thought it was 5-1 instead of 6-2."

"I think I'm up there, because I've said it before, I don't think I'm the most talented in any way," he admitted. "I don't think I'm a God-given talent like some other guys are. I think most of my tennis is through hard work, through a lot of hours spent on the court, and through a lot of hours spent in the gym and on the track. That's how I play tennis."

Now that he has finally broken through, it seems unlikely that Sascha Zverev will be content to stop there.

Shelton delivers a statement and a promise

Neither, for that matter, will Ben Shelton.

After producing arguably the finest performance of his career to defeat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, his first victory over a Top 3 opponent after 17 unsuccessful attempts, the American backed it up with another outstanding display in the semi-finals against close friend Frances Tiafoe.

Naturally disappointed not to have lifted the trophy at the first attempt, Shelton nevertheless left New York having captivated the tennis world.

Optimistic about what lies ahead, the 23-year-old quickly made it clear that he believes his game and work ethic will eventually bring him the consistency that critics have questioned in recent years.

"I'm motivated. Disappointed with how today went. Happy with how I fought throughout the week, two weeks," he told reporters. "Excited with the progress that I feel that I've made, but yeah, this one sting 100 percent. It's on to the next. Try to keep getting better and show up in Australia even stronger than I showed up here.

"I've always, my whole life, had guys out in front of me, guys that I'm chasing, guys that I'm trying to get on the same level as. I'm a late bloomer. That's just the way that it's always been. It's no different now.

"I haven't always been successful the very first time that I've been in finals, whether it was from when I was really young all the way up to the Challenger level and now the ATP, Grand Slam level. I think that it's an ongoing process for me. That's the way I see it.

“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.

“I'm able to stay focused and stay there on the court for many hours. I think that's going to help me in the future moving forward."