Alexander Zverev sent out a firm warning to world No 1 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, claiming he is currently the best tennis player in the world following his US Open victory. German Zverev beat Ben Shelton in the final on Sunday to the bitter disappointment of the home crowd in New York. Zverev was playing in his sixth major final and Shelton his first, and it showed in a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-2 victory that extinguished America's hopes of a first male winner since Andy Roddick in 2003.

The 29-year-old has been the dominant player in Grand Slams in a season that has seen Alcaraz, who won this year's Australian Open, exit the US Open in a quarter-final defeat by Shelton after a long injury lay-off while Sinner pulled out injured before the tournament began after winning Wimbledon. Zverev finally broke through to win his first major at the French Open, then reached the final at the All England Club, losing to Sinner. He is 25-2 in Grand Slam matches in 2026 and Zverev believes he is currently the best in the world.