Alexander Zverev wasn’t distracted by a partisan crowd as he won the US Open men’s final against home favourite Ben Shelton.
The German tuned out the noise and quietened the mass home support in New York as he beat Shelton in four sets: 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2.
Zverev, who was the top seed at Flushing Meadows, has now won two grand slams this year – with his maiden career success coming at the French Open in June.
The challenge now will be to see how the 29-year-old fares next year when a fully fit Jannik Sinner – who withdrew before this tournament started – and Carlos Alcaraz are at their best, with the pair having won the majors between them in 2024 and 2025.
Alexander Zverev thankful after US Open win
Addressing his team which is led by his father Alexander senior and brother Mischa, Zverev said: ‘We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now won two in the span of three months.
‘I think God has seen how hard we have worked, how hard we have suffered and how much pain we went through.
‘I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.’
Shelton, who was competing in his first grand slam final and was looking to become the first American male to win this tournament since Andy Roddick in 2003, has vowed to come back stronger.
‘Sascha, congrats on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam title and two in one year.
‘What you’re doing is incredible, the way you are serving and moving in play. You work harder than anyone I know, and do more hours on court than anyone else.
‘You and your team do things the right way and I’m sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title.
‘To New York, you guys drove me here today. I’m just getting started and I’ll be back here again.’
