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Alexander Zverev claimed his second Grand Slam title on Sunday, defeating American Ben Shelton at the U.S. Open in a four-set match. The German star won 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2, ending American hopes of a home men’s champion for the first time in over two decades. Zverev also walked away with $5.5 million in prize money and the Tiffany & Co. trophy, presented by tennis legend Jimmy Connors.
In his post-match speech, Zverev paid tribute to his mother. He credited her strength after he received a diabetes diagnosis at just four years old. Quoting her directly, he said: “If he wants to be a tennis player, he’ll be a tennis player.” He added, “My mother is the most important and strongest person I know.”
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Shelton also spoke graciously after the loss. “My successes are a gift, the failures are a gift, and being here playing in front of you guys is a gift,” he said. His girlfriend, professional soccer player Trinity Rodman of the Washington Spirit, watched from the stands in a Shelton shirt. Rodman had earlier started in her team’s 3-0 home loss to the Boston Legacy before traveling to New York to support him.
A Competitive Final at Arthur Ashe Stadium
The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium was an intense contest between two big servers with plenty at stake. Shelton struggled early in the first set against Zverev’s controlled and methodical game. However, he gradually grew more confident. He pushed Zverev to a tiebreaker in the second set, though Zverev ultimately took it 7-2.
Shelton fought back hard in the third set. He rattled Zverev and managed to take the set, keeping his hopes alive. In the fourth set, Zverev received a time violation and protested it, but the moment did not slow him down. He moved ahead 3-1, broke Shelton’s serve to lead 5-2, and then closed out the match on his own serve.
For Shelton, 23, it was his first Grand Slam final appearance. Zverev, 29, had already played in five major finals before Sunday. Furthermore, Zverev arrived at the tournament in Queens with strong momentum after winning the French Open in June. He faced two difficult early matches but dropped no sets after the second round on his way to the title.
Shelton’s Road to the Final
Shelton’s path to the final was remarkable. He battled two-time U.S. Open champion Carlos Alcaraz for 4 hours and 28 minutes in the semifinals. That match began late Tuesday night and ended at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday. Alcaraz was competing in his first major since injuring his wrist and at one point appeared to vomit into a towel during the grueling contest.
Shelton then defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe on Friday night. He dominated that match, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. A victory in the final would have made Shelton the first American man to win the U.S. Open since Andy Roddick beat Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero in 2003.
Beyond that milestone, Shelton also had a chance to become only the second Black man to win the U.S. Open. The only player to have done so was Arthur Ashe himself, in 1968 — the same man the stadium is named after.
Fans Rally Behind Shelton
The crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium was loud and passionate in its support for Shelton. Many fans told NBC News they had traveled long distances to be there. Several expressed hope that Shelton could make history as a Black champion on that iconic court.
Fan Tracie Saundera told NBC News she was thrilled to see a Black man in the final. She noted the last time it happened, in 1972, was before she was born. She also praised Shelton’s style of play. “He just plays with so much passion and energy,” she said. “He’s so fun to watch play, and he’s young and enthusiastic.”
Junior Pulayya drove all the way from Florida to New York to support Shelton, a fellow University of Florida alumnus. He acknowledged a long drought of strong American men’s players but said Shelton’s rise could change that. “It does so much just for today, but long term for the sport,” Pulayya said.
Maryland fan Shameka Littles said she could not imagine how Shelton felt competing as the first Black man in a U.S. Open final in more than 50 years. She also found it inspiring to see so many Americans perform well throughout the tournament. “To have so many of the top seeds make it to the semifinals, the quarterfinals — that was exciting in and of itself,” she said. “Hopefully, it just gives a big boost of energy and excitement for each other.”
