Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 US Open title in New York, securing his second major of the year and career. The victory came after three hours and 33 minutes, marking his first US Open title and ending a six-year wait since his last final appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev celebrated by raising his arms and hugging Shelton, expressing disbelief and gratitude, noting Germany had gone 30 years without a men's Grand Slam champion since Boris Becker’s 1996 Australian Open win.

He became the fourth man in history to win his first two Slam titles in the same year, joining Jannik Sinner, Guillermo Vilas, and Jimmy Connors. His 25th Slam match win in 2026 made him just the seventh man to achieve that feat in a calendar year. Despite Shelton’s strong support from the home crowd seeking America’s first male major winner since 2003, Zverev dominated early, breaking Shelton’s serve in the opening game and maintaining control except for a brief lapse in the third set.

Shelton praised Zverev as "maybe the best player in the world this year." Zverev entered the season 0-3 in Slam finals, including a 2020 US Open loss after leading two sets to love. His 2026 double triumph contrasted with the chaotic season, following a decade of dominance by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, who won 66 of 81 Slams from 2003 to 2023. With Federer and Nadal retired and Djokovic diminished, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have emerged as new leaders, having swept all majors in 2024 and 2025.

Alcaraz won the 2026 Australian Open to complete his career Grand Slam, defeating Djokovic in the final before withdrawing from the French Open due to injury.