Alexander Zverev has won the US Open, six years after a devastating loss in the same final. The German, who secured his first Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in front of a crowd of 24,000 at Flushing Meadows.

Zverev’s victory marked a significant redemption after his 2020 US Open final appearance, where he squandered a two-set lead and ultimately lost to Dominic Thiem after serving for the match in the fifth set. This time, Zverev maintained his composure, even appearing so focused during the final moments that he initially did not realize he had won.

"In that moment I was in the zone a lot. I didn't hear noise at all," Zverev said after the match. "It's funny – tennis teachers always tell you to just play the next point and forget about the score. At that moment I forgot about the score and it helped me."

The 29-year-old’s triumph was a stark contrast to his tearful reaction in 2020. "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we've won two in three months," Zverev reflected, attributing his recent success to years of prior effort.

This victory was particularly meaningful with his father and coach, Alexander Sr., present on the sidelines, having missed the 2020 final. Zverev also acknowledged his mother's unwavering support, especially following his childhood diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. "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,'" he stated. "My mother is the most important and strongest person I know."

Zverev has had his most successful year on the tour, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the final at Wimbledon, in addition to his French and US Open victories. While injuries to rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have played a role, Zverev credits a strengthened mentality and dedication to fitness for his improved performance. "There is no-one as fit as Zverev, he is right up there," commented former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli. "You can argue about Alcaraz and Sinner, and Novak [Djokovic] and Rafa [Nadal] when they were in their prime physically, but Zverev is right up there as one of the best athletes to play the sport."

His path to the title was not without challenges. Zverev was pushed to five sets in his opening two matches and was two points from defeat in the first round. However, he found his form and proceeded to win every set from the third round until the final. Facing a partisan crowd against Shelton, Zverev remained composed, keeping his emotions in check and maintaining control even after losing the third set.

"I'm so admiring of his strength of character and the zen-like state he's been in since the very beginning of the match," said former British number one Annabel Croft. "The most extraordinary thing – and I don't think I've ever witnessed it – was that he didn't realise he had won. It was so bizarre, but it was like he was in a trance-like state while he was playing."

Zverev's powerful serve was a key weapon against Shelton, winning 39 of 42 points behind his first serve in the first two sets and not facing a break point until the third set. Although Shelton managed a break late in the third, Zverev dominated the fourth, winning only four of 20 receiving points.

With this victory, Zverev is now positioned to target the world number one ranking. He trails Sinner by 1,810 points with two Masters 1000 events and the ATP Tour finals remaining in the season.

Zverev has previously been a polarizing figure in tennis. In October 2023, he received a penalty order and a fine for alleged bodily harm against a former partner, which he denied. A trial in May 2024 was discontinued, and a separate settlement was reached. The court clarified that the decision was not a verdict on guilt or innocence. He also faced accusations of physical violence and controlling behavior from another former girlfriend in 2020, which he denied, leading to no legal proceedings.