Germany's Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton to win US Open title

Germany’s Alexander Zverev captured the US Open men’s singles crown on Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton in four sets (6‑3, 7‑6 (2), 5‑7, 6‑2) at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The German, the top seed and a first‑time No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam, secured his second major title, avenging the 2020 final where he squandered a two‑set lead against Dominic Thiem. The win also awarded Zverev $5.5 million, matching the prize earned by women’s champion Elena Rybakina and tying the largest payout in Grand Slam history. Shelton, who entered the final seeking the first American men’s title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 victory and the first Black champion since Arthur Ashe in 1968, fell short despite a historic run that included a five‑set, 3:33 a.m. quarter‑final win over No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz.

The match unfolded against a crowd that overwhelmingly backed Shelton, with many spectators—including his girlfriend, soccer star Trinity Rodman—cheering for the home player. Zverev, however, described a “tunnel” of focus that insulated him from the noise, allowing him to execute a near‑flawless tiebreak in the second set and later repel Shelton’s comeback attempt in the third. The German’s dominance this season is reflected in his 25‑2 record in major matches, and his path to the final was eased by the withdrawal of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who pulled out with a knee injury, as well as the earlier absences of Carlos Alcaraz from two majors. Shelton’s run had been remarkable, having eliminated the defending champion and become the first player since 1975 to beat both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds en route to a US Open final, though he ultimately could not sustain the momentum against Zverev.

In the trophy ceremony, Zverev expressed regret that the crowd had wanted Shelton to win, yet praised the fairness of the atmosphere. Shelton, acknowledging Zverev’s superiority, called him “one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year.” Zverev’s victory not only redeems his 2020 heartbreak but also reinforces his status among the sport’s elite, especially after a Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner earlier in the season. The result reshapes the narrative of men’s tennis, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of champions while underscoring the lingering challenges faced by American men seeking a Grand Slam breakthrough.

⚡ Effects Interpreter