What Happened
Alexander Zverev believes he is currently the best tennis player in the world following his stellar US Open victory. The German star defeated American hope Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 in the final in New York.
Playing in his sixth major final, Zverev extinguished America's hopes of securing its first male singles winner since Andy Roddick in 2003. Interestingly, Zverev was so locked into the match that he didn't even realize he had won on championship point, standing at the baseline ready to receive another serve before noticing the crowd's standing ovation.
Why It Matters
Zverev has dominated Grand Slam tennis this season, boasting an impressive 25-2 record in major matches. With rivals like Jannik Sinner dealing with injuries and Carlos Alcaraz working back from a lengthy layoff, the 29-year-old German has capitalized on his consistency.
However, Zverev remained pragmatic about his status. He noted that while he holds the mantle right now due to his opponents' health struggles, a fully fit Sinner still sits ahead of him at the top of the sport.
Important Context
Despite the loss, Ben Shelton made history in New York. The 23-year-old became the first Black American man to play in the US Open singles final in 54 years, following in the footsteps of the legendary Arthur Ashe. Shelton admitted that the high-stakes atmosphere is an "addictive feeling" and signalled that he is eager for more deep Grand Slam runs.
What's Next
The victory places Zverev in a prime position to chase the world No 1 ranking. When the updated rankings drop, Zverev will sit at 9,690 points, trailing Sinner by just 1,810 points. With far fewer points to defend for the remainder of the season compared to his rivals, a push for the top spot is well within reach.
