US Open Triumph: Zverev Declares He Can Become The World’s Best

Alexander Zverev has declared that he could currently be the best tennis player in the world after defeating Ben Shelton to win the 2026 US Open title.

According to Ireporter Online, the 29-year-old German defeated American Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday to claim his second Grand Slam title of the year.

Zverev had earlier won the French Open in June and ended the major tournament season with an impressive 25-2 record.

Asked whether he now considered himself the best player in the world, Zverev pointed to his current form but acknowledged that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz could still have an advantage when both are fully fit.

The German noted that Sinner was currently dealing with an injury, while Alcaraz was returning from a four-month injury layoff.

“You have to take everything into consideration. With Jannik Sinner being injured and Carlos Alcaraz coming back from injury after four months, right now, probably yes,” Zverev said.

He, however, admitted that Sinner could still be ahead of him if all the leading players were fully fit and performing at their best.

“Both of them healthy and both of them at the top of their game, maybe not. But if we say right now with Jannik being injured and Carlos coming back from injury, maybe,” he added.

Zverev also credited his improved mental strength for helping him overcome the pressure of the US Open final, particularly after his painful defeat to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final.

In that match, Zverev had taken a two-set lead and served for the championship before eventually losing in five sets.

Six years later, the German maintained his composure against Shelton and a crowd of about 24,000 spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Zverev said he became so focused during the decisive stages of the match that he barely heard the noise from the crowd and initially did not realise he had completed the victory.

“In that moment I was in the zone a lot. I didn’t hear noise at all,” he said.

He explained that focusing only on the next point, rather than the score or the magnitude of the occasion, helped him maintain his concentration.

The victory also represented a remarkable turnaround for Zverev, who had spoken about his desire to win a Grand Slam title after his 2020 disappointment.

“We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we’ve won two in three months. 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” he said.

Zverev’s father and coach, Alexander senior, was present in the stands for the final, while the champion also paid an emotional tribute to his mother for the support she provided after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child.

The German star described his mother as the most important and strongest person he knows, recalling how she encouraged him to continue pursuing his sporting ambitions despite concerns about the limitations his condition could impose.

“When doctors tell you that life and sports will be very limited for that child, it takes a very strong mother to say, ‘my son will be whatever he wants to be’,” Zverev said.

“My mother is the most important and strongest person I know.”