Zverev has won the US Open six years after throwing it away

The sweet smell of success

Zverev, 29, threw away a two-set lead in 2020 against Dominic Thiem, after serving for the match in the fifth set.

Following that game, a tearful Zverev said afterwards: “I wish one day I can bring the trophy home.”

But this time around, in his way rather than his own nerves it was Shelton and most of the 24,000-strong crowd.

The German was so locked in he did not notice he had won, walking back to the baseline until his team told him it was over.

Alexander Zverev celebrating championship point after defeating Ben Shelton in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open. Credit: Getty Images

How Zverev forgot about the score and didn’t hear a thing

He said following the game: “In that moment I was in the zone a lot. I didn't hear noise at all. 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.”

He is just the second German to win the US Open in the Open era after Boris Becker, and after the French open, it is his second major of the year.

“We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we've won two in three months”.

Zverev celebrating with the trophy after defeating Shelton on 13 September. Credit: Getty Images

In an emotional statement, the 29-year-old thanked his mum for the support she gave him after his childhood type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

“It takes a very strong mother to say 'my son will be whatever he wants to be”, he said.

While in New York his parents missed his previous final, this time his father and coach, Alexander senior, was on the sidelines.