Germany’s Alexander Zverev has finally secured his long-awaited US Open title, overcoming American Ben Shelton in a thrilling final that showcased both skill and emotional resilience. This victory not only marks a significant redemption from his heart-wrenching loss in 2020 but also solidifies his position as a top player in the tennis world. Zverev, the number one seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, seized the opportunity presented by Shelton’s rocky start in what was the latter’s first major final.
The match unfolded in front of a lively New York crowd, many of whom were fervently cheering for Shelton, including his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, who made a dramatic dash from her own soccer match in Washington to witness the climax. “I know today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I’m very sorry first of all,” Zverev admitted during the trophy presentation, acknowledging the crowd’s support for his opponent. “But second, it was an incredible atmosphere to play in. Even though I know that the crowd was against me, the crowd was always incredibly fair.”
Shelton, aiming to become the first American man to lift the title since Andy Roddick in 2003 and the first Black player since Arthur Ashe in 1968, expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s such a cool moment. Walking out on that court today, there’s nothing like it. I’ve never felt anything like that before.” However, Zverev proved to be too formidable, showcasing his prowess by executing a nearly flawless tiebreaker. At one point, Zverev even appeared unaware of his own brilliance; after hitting a serve winner, he casually retreated behind the baseline as if preparing to return. He later revealed he thought the score was 5-1, only to realize he had clinched the match, raising his arms in triumph.
This year has been remarkable for Zverev, boasting an impressive 25-2 record in major matches and pocketing a whopping $5.5 million prize, matching the largest payout in Grand Slam history alongside women’s champion Elena Rybakina. “You’re one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year,” Shelton told Zverev, acknowledging his prowess on the court.
Reflecting on his past, Zverev recalled the painful memories of 2020 when he was two points away from victory against Dominic Thiem but became the first man since 1949 to lose a final after leading two sets. Those ghosts have finally been laid to rest. After reaching the Wimbledon final this year, where he lost to Jannik Sinner, Zverev capitalized on opportunities presented by other players’ withdrawals, including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner himself.
“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, and how much pain we went through, and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” Zverev shared with his team, highlighting the emotional journey leading to this moment. Shelton had already made headlines by eliminating the defending champion, Alcaraz, in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal that wrapped up at 3:33 a.m., marking the latest finish in US Open history. Unfortunately for Shelton, he fell short in his bid to become the first man to defeat both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds on his way to the title since 1975, leaving him at 0-6 against Zverev, though he won a set against him for only the second time.
The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were high, and the match was a testament to the fierce competition and spirit that defines the US Open. What’s next for these remarkable athletes? We’ll just have to wait and see…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber