Alexander Zverev has been the most consistent player at the Grand Slam tournaments this year, winning two major titles and reaching another final. But he still does not consider himself the best player in men's tennis.
Ben Shelton appeared more willing to give Zverev that recognition after the German defeated him 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 in Sunday's US Open final. The victory added the New York title to Zverev's French Open triumph in June.
“You're one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year,” Shelton told Zverev during the trophy presentation.
The 2026 season has been different from last year, when Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner met in the final of three of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Alcaraz won the Australian Open but missed the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury. He was hurt in April and did not return until the US Open.
Sinner, the world's top-ranked men's player, defeated Zverev in the Wimbledon final but missed the US Open because of a right knee injury.
Asked whether he now considered himself the best player in the world, Zverev said the answer depended on the condition of Sinner and Alcaraz.
“With Jannik Sinner being injured and Carlos Alcaraz coming back from injury after four months, right now, this moment, probably yes. Both of them healthy and both of them at the top of their game, maybe not,” Zverev said.
He added that when both players are fully fit and playing at their best, he still considers Sinner ahead of him.
Zverev backed up his strong year by beating the players who competed at the majors. He went 25-2 across the four Grand Slam tournaments and was the only man to reach the semifinals at all four.
At the US Open, he had to play five-set matches in each of his first two rounds, becoming the first No. 1 seed in the Open era, which began in 1968, to do so. He then did not lose another set until the final.
Shelton, whose serve can exceed 140 mph, said Zverev has the best serve on the tour.
He also praised Zverev's all-around game, including his improved play at the net, movement despite standing 6-foot-7, strong returning and baseline game, and fitness.
“He's a tough guy to play, 100%,” Shelton said.
Hard work pays off for Zverev
Shelton also described Zverev as one of the hardest-working players he knows. Zverev was more comfortable accepting that praise than the suggestion that he is the world's best.
“I think I'm up there, for sure,” Zverev said. “I don't think I'm the most talented in any way. I don't think I'm a God-given talent like some other guys are.”
He said most of his success has come from spending long hours on the tennis court, in the gym and on the track.
That hard work helped Zverev return to the top after suffering a serious ankle injury during the 2022 French Open semifinals. It also eventually helped him win the US Open title he believed he should have won two years earlier.
In the 2020 US Open final, Zverev won the first two sets against Dominic Thiem and came within two points of victory before becoming the first player since 1949 to lose a Grand Slam final after taking a two-set lead.
Winning the French Open in June helped him move past that painful memory. He then added the US Open title and a $5.5 million winner's prize Sunday.
“I think the scars of the 2020 final, they kind of disappeared after I won in Paris,” Zverev said.
He said he was also able to enjoy the Wimbledon final despite losing, appreciating the opportunity to play on Centre Court in front of a large crowd and celebrities.
Before winning in Paris, Zverev said he felt constant pressure and wondered whether he would ever win a Grand Slam title.
“Whereas before winning in Paris, I felt a lot of stress all the time, because there was always a question mark: Will I ever win one?” he said.
“Now is just more of a joy to play those kind of finals.”