Alexander Zverev finally claimed the US Open title on Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the men’s singles final. The top seed overcame years of frustration at the hardcourt major and secured a Grand Slam record $5.5 million winner’s prize.
Six years earlier, Zverev had led by two sets against Dominic Thiem only to lose the 2020 final. This time the German arrived with renewed confidence after his first major title at Roland Garros in June. He started strongly, breaking Shelton in the opening game after a double fault and taking the first set. In the second-set tiebreak he raced to a 5-0 lead and closed it out despite the loud New York crowd cheering for the home player.
Shelton fought back in the third set. After slipping on court and showing clear frustration, the eighth seed produced powerful baseline play to break serve and force a fourth set. The American’s resistance was short-lived. Zverev broke early in the deciding set after a long 25-shot rally and never looked back. When Shelton’s return sailed long on match point, Zverev initially walked back to the baseline, not realizing the match was over. Only after the umpire’s announcement and the crowd’s standing ovation did he smile and head to the net.
The victory ends a long wait for the German and breaks a 23-year American men’s Grand Slam drought that Shelton had hoped to end. Shelton became the first Black American man to reach the US Open final in 54 years since Arthur Ashe. His girlfriend, Olympic soccer champion Trinity Rodman, rushed from her Washington Spirit match to support him in the player’s box.
Zverev later reflected on the journey, saying the hard work and past pain had led to this moment. He also noted that while he currently sits near the top with Jannik Sinner injured and Carlos Alcaraz returning from a long layoff, Sinner remains ahead when both are fully fit. The win marks a major step forward for Zverev after years of near-misses and personal challenges.
