Alexander Zverev won his second Grand Slam singles title of the year by defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final, according to DW. The German top seed followed his French Open triumph with a victory over Shelton, who was appearing in his first major final.
DW described the result as the best season of Zverev’s career. He became the ninth man to reach at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in one season, while his two major victories ended a long wait for a German men’s singles champion after Boris Becker’s 1996 success.
Zverev had previously reached the US Open final in 2020 but lost that match. His career also includes Olympic gold in 2021, although his progress at the majors was delayed by repeated early exits and the rise of leading rivals including Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The 29-year-old thanked his coaching team and family after the final. He said the two titles represented the result of years of work and difficulty. DW also reported that Zverev’s family has remained closely involved in his tennis career: his father has coached him professionally, while his mother coached him earlier in his development.
Zverev has also spoken publicly about living with type 1 diabetes and promoting awareness of the condition. In his remarks following the final, he credited his mother with encouraging him after his childhood diagnosis and said the illness would not define him.
DW noted that Zverev’s success has not removed controversy surrounding him. The ATP closed an investigation into allegations by his former partner Olya Sharypova in 2023, citing insufficient evidence, while a separate case involving Brenda Patea was settled in 2024 without a verdict or admission of guilt. Zverev denied the allegations and welcomed the ATP decision.