US Open final Highlights: Alexander Zverev wins title, beats Ben Shelton in 4 sets

And that brings the curtain down on the US Open 2026! After Elena Rybakina lifted the women’s singles title, Alexander Zverev has now conquered New York to claim the men’s crown.

Two champions, two unforgettable journeys and plenty of drama at Arthur Ashe Stadium. That’s all from the US Open — until next year!

Q: What did you say to Ben Shelton after the final?

Alexander Zverev: Ben, you're an incredible player and an incredible person. This was your first Grand Slam final, but I already told you that you're going to be back here many, many more times. If I had to bet all my money on it, I would.

I also want to congratulate Ben's team — Brian, Pops, Mom, Sister and everyone who's there. Everybody is just as important over there as they are on this side of the court. I know exactly what it's like because that's what my family is.

That's why I'm so happy to see families like yours in these finals. I'm happy to see you guys win Masters events and big tournaments because I know it's a family affair. Everybody is pulling in the same direction to be successful. Congratulations to you, your mum, your sister and everyone who is there. You guys really deserve it.

Q: Did Trinity bring you luck?

Alexander Zverev: Trinity, I thought you had a game today? No? Well done to you as well. You're the lucky charm, so I'm happy. Not today, but maybe next time!

Q: What did winning this title mean to your team?

Alexander Zverev: I want to thank my team. We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title, and now we have won two in the span of three months.

I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered and how much pain we went through. I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that came before.

Thank you, guys. You are absolutely amazing.

Q: Who did you want to thank most?

Alexander Zverev: I want to thank one more person who never actually watches my matches, but is the most important person in my tennis life and in my life in general — my mother.

When your four-year-old son gets diagnosed with diabetes and doctors tell you that life and sports will be very, very limited for that child, it takes a very strong mother to walk out of those offices and say, "My son will be whatever he wants to be."

If he wants to be a tennis player, he'll be a tennis player. If he wants to do something else, he'll do something else. But this illness will not define us.

My mother is the strongest person I know. It takes an unbelievably strong woman to do what she did. So, thank you to her as well.

Q: Who else did you want to thank at the US Open?

Alexander Zverev: I want to thank everyone who worked at this tournament this year. I'm sorry that I was the reason a lot of you guys went to bed at 4 or 5am this year!

I was two points away from losing in the first round, and I'm very happy that I won that match because it would have been a different outcome otherwise.

I want to thank the ball boys, the people behind the scenes, the drivers, everyone who works in the restaurants and everybody who stayed up late just for us. It's really appreciated by all of us.

Q: What did you make of the tournament's organisation?

Alexander Zverev: Eric, first year as tournament director, congratulations to you for putting on such an amazing event. I'm sorry, it's the wrong winner this year, but I did my job!

Craig Tiley has been the tournament director of the Australian Open for the past 25 years. He decided to move to New York, which we as players were not very happy about because he made the Australian Open the best tournament in the world.

But from now on, I think the US Open will probably be the best tournament in the world since you're here. Thank you for being here. Move back to Australia for three months and then come back at the end of January — that would be great!

No, seriously, I think it was the best hire the USTA could have made. Well done for putting on such an amazing event in your first year.

Q: Finally, what did you make of the New York crowd?

Alexander Zverev: Last but not least, the crowds. I know that today 99.9 per cent of the people wanted Ben to win, so I'm very sorry, first of all!

But it was an incredible atmosphere to play in. Even though I know the crowd was against me, they were always incredibly fair, and we as players appreciate that.

You guys brought the energy. You brought the noise. I think I've talked enough.

Thank you, and see you next year.

Q: Making your first and certainly not your last major final, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ben Shelton: First and most importantly, I want to thank God. My successes are a gift, the failures are a gift, and being here, playing in front of you guys, is a gift.

Q: What does it mean to see Alexander Zverev win his second Grand Slam title of the year?

Ben Shelton: Sasha, congratulations on these two weeks, man. Your second Grand Slam title, two in one year. You're one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year. What you're doing is incredible, the way you're serving. You work harder than anyone I know. You put more hours on the court than anyone I know. You and your team do things the right way, and I'm sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title.

Q: Who would you like to thank after this incredible run?

Ben Shelton: I want to thank my team. I've got the best support team in the business. To do this with my family by my side, and these four guys who dedicate their lives to my career, travelling the world with me, is an unmatched level of commitment. I appreciate you guys.

To my squad over here in this corner, you guys are so special in your own way. You showed up to support me every day of my career. I appreciate you guys. Love you guys.

Q: What does the US Open mean to you?

Ben Shelton: You've done it again, put together an amazing tournament. This is my favourite tournament of the year, the greatest tournament in the world.

Craig, the new CEO, congratulations on the new position. You've changed this game in many ways and you're just getting started. We're so happy to have you, and thanks for everything you've done here already.

To the tournament director, thank you as well. Your commitment to American success and running this tournament to be the greatest in the world is unbelievable. Thank you to everyone at the USTA.

Q: Anyone else you'd like to thank?

Ben Shelton: I want to thank the sponsors for making this tournament possible, all the volunteers, the drivers — my driver Xavier is up there somewhere. I appreciate you, X.

To the umpires, ball kids, everyone at the practice desk, and all the security guards who make me smile every day — this is my happy place. This is the place I love to spend time, and I wish this tournament never ended.

Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who supported me and believed in me. We still have a long way to go, but I'm very appreciative of everyone who's had my back from the beginning.

Q: Finally, what would you like to say to the fans?

Ben Shelton: To the fans who showed up today, the fans at home, the people who've been here all week, and the people who stayed until 4 in the morning — you guys drove me. You brought me to the position I'm in today, playing in the final of this tournament.

I'm just getting started, and I'll be back here again. Thank you so much.

Ben Shelton’s forehand flies out, the match is over — and Zverev barely reacts!

The German looks almost confused, as if he needs someone to tell him he’s just become a Grand Slam champion.

Then the Arthur Ashe crowd erupts, and it finally sinks in. Zverev throws both arms into the air and celebrates. After all those heartbreaks, he finally gets his moment!

The German holds his nerve when it matters most to seal a stunning victory!

Shelton makes a forehand error to hand Zverev the first point, but the German then double-faults to make it 15-15. Zverev responds like a champion, firing a huge ace before smashing a forehand winner to move to 40-15.

And then it happens! Shelton cracks under the pressure, sending a forehand wide.

ZVEREV HAS DONE IT! After all the drama, the German lifts his first US Open title!

Zverev is now just one game away from the championship!

The German breaks Shelton for the second time in the fourth set, putting himself in position to serve for the title.

Shelton briefly responds with an ace, but then falls apart under pressure, making three consecutive errors to hand Zverev three break points at 15-40.

Another backhand error seals Shelton’s fate. Zverev leads 5-2 and will serve for the championship!

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 5-2 in the 4th set

Zverev is cruising! The German holds Shelton to love, with the American making back-to-back forehand errors to hand him a 40-0 lead.

Zverev then produces a brilliant backhand volley winner before Shelton’s forced backhand error seals the game. Zverev leads 4-2 in the fourth set, maintaining his break advantage.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 4-2 in the 4th set

Shelton holds serve, but Zverev remains firmly in control with the crucial break in hand.

The American races to 40-0 as Zverev struggles, making a forehand error followed by a forced backhand mistake.

Shelton then produces a superb forehand volley winner before closing out the game with another forehand winner. Shelton trails 2-3, but Zverev still has the break advantage.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 3-2 in the 4th set

Shelton survives another scare!

The American finds himself 0-30 down after a Zverev backhand winner and a forehand error, with another break looking dangerously close.

But Shelton refuses to panic, as Zverev then sends two backhands wide to bring the game back to 30-30.

Shelton holds his nerve, blasting a forehand smash before finishing with a superb volley winner. Shelton gets on the board and trails 2-1.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 2-1 in the 4th set

Zverev consolidates the break in style!

Shelton struggles to find an answer as three straight errors — two forced and one unforced — hand the German a commanding 40-0 lead.

Shelton manages to claw one point back, but Zverev stays composed and finishes the game with a brilliant backhand volley winner. Zverev leads 2-0 in the fourth set.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 2-0 in the 4th set

What a response from Alexander Zverev!

The German immediately strikes back in the fourth set, breaking Shelton’s serve to lead 1-0. Zverev initially earns a break point at 30-40, but Shelton saves it with a brilliant forehand volley winner.

Zverev refuses to let the opportunity slip, though, and earns another chance at 40-AD.

This time, Shelton cracks under pressure, sending a backhand wide to hand Zverev the break. What a start!

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 1-0 in the 4th set

Deja vu for Zverev? The German will be desperate to avoid history repeating itself.

Back in 2020, Zverev blew a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the US Open final, eventually losing the title in five sets.

Now, six years later, he is facing another fightback after Shelton clawed his way back into the contest.

Zverev was 2-0 up — and now Shelton has taken a set. He cannot afford to become complacent again.

Ben Shelton finally breaks through! The American earns his first break of serve against Zverev to seal the second set and breathe new life into the final.

Shelton races to 0-40, with Zverev’s backhand and forehand errors handing him three set points.

He misses the first with a forehand error of his own, but Zverev then sends a forehand volley wide to surrender the set.

Shelton takes it and, after four matches against Zverev, has finally won a set against him!

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7 after the 3rd set

A familiar face watches on as Ben Shelton fights for history!

Andy Roddick, the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title, is in the stands as Shelton looks to follow in his footsteps.

Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph remains the last major singles title won by an American man — and now Shelton has the chance to end that long wait on the biggest stage.

Pressure on Zverev! The German needs to hold serve to take the third set to a tie-breaker, but Shelton comes out firing.

The American opens with a forehand volley winner before Zverev’s forehand error puts him 30-0 up.

Another forehand winner takes Shelton to 40-0, leaving Zverev in serious trouble.

Shelton gives him a lifeline with an error, but Zverev then misses another forehand to surrender the game.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-6 in the 3rd set

Zverev levels it at 5-5! The German stays composed under pressure and produces the big shots when he needs them.

Shelton opens with a backhand error, but responds with a brilliant backhand winner to make it 15-15.

Zverev then forces another error before unleashing a forehand smash winner to move to 40-15.

A service winner finishes the job, as Zverev holds and brings the third set level at 5-5.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-5 in the 3rd set

Shelton stays alive! The American holds Zverev to love with a commanding service game, opening with a service winner before Zverev’s forehand error makes it 30-0.

Shelton then produces a superb forehand volley winner to move to 40-0, and another forced error from Zverev wraps up the game.

Shelton now he needs to break Zverev’s serve to clinch the set.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 4-5 in the 3rd set

Zverev edges closer to taking control of the third set!

The German responds to an early 15-15 setback with a powerful forehand smash winner before Shelton’s forced error puts him ahead at 30-15.

After another error brings Shelton level, Zverev keeps his composure and drills a backhand winner to move to 40-30.

Shelton then cracks with a backhand error, handing Zverev the game.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 4-4 in the 3rd set

Shelton keeps fighting, but the American is still searching for his first break of serve.

He puts Zverev under pressure early, racing to 30-0 after two errors from the German. Shelton adds a backhand winner, but Zverev fights back to reach 40-15.

However, another forced error from the German gives Shelton hope before Zverev eventually holds.

Zverev leads 4-3, with Shelton still unable to convert a break chance.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 4-3 in the 3rd set

Zverev survives a huge scare! Shelton earns his first break point of the match after Zverev’s backhand and forehand errors put the German under serious pressure at 30-40.

But Zverev refuses to crack, producing a brilliant backhand winner to save the break point and bring the game back to deuce.

Shelton then makes two costly forehand errors, allowing Zverev to escape and hold serve.

US Open men's singles final: Alexander Zverev leads Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 3-3 in the 3rd set