Alexander Zverev has emerged as the most reliable competitor across this year's Grand Slam championships, claiming two major trophies alongside another runner-up finish, though he remains hesitant to crown himself as the premier athlete in men's tennis.

Ben Shelton appeared far more inclined to bestow that distinction upon Zverev following the German's 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 triumph over him in Sunday's US Open final, a victory that appended the New York crown to Zverev's French Open conquest back in June.

“You're one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year,” Shelton remarked to Zverev during the trophy presentation ceremony.

The 2026 campaign has unfolded quite differently from the previous year, when Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner squared off in three of the four Grand Slam title matches.

While Alcaraz secured the Australian Open, he was subsequently forced to sit out both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a right wrist injury sustained in April, remaining sidelined until his return at the US Open.

Meanwhile, Sinner, holding the position of the world's top-ranked male tennis player, overcame Zverev in the Wimbledon championship match but was absent from the US Open owing to a right knee ailment.

When queried about whether he currently views himself as the globe's finest competitor, Zverev noted that the verdict hinges heavily upon the physical readiness 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 stated.

He further observed that when both rivals maintain full fitness and peak execution, he still places Sinner ahead of him in the hierarchy.

Zverev substantiated his stellar year by consistently defeating elite opponents across the majors, compiling a 25-2 record across the four Grand Slam tournaments while standing as the sole man to advance to the semifinals in all four.

At Flushing Meadows, he was compelled to navigate grueling five-set matches in each of his opening two rounds, earning the distinction of being the first top-seeded male in the Open era—dating back to 1968—to do so, prior to cruising without dropping another set until the final showdown.

Shelton, whose serves frequently surpass 140 mph, asserted that Zverev possesses the most formidable serve on the professional tour.

He likewise lauded Zverev's comprehensive skillset, highlighting his elevated play at the net, exceptional court coverage despite standing 6-foot-7, powerful service returns, baseline dominance, and overall physical conditioning.

“He's a tough guy to play, 100%,” Shelton observed.

Shelton additionally characterized Zverev as one of the most industrious athletes he has ever encountered, a compliment Zverev accepted far more readily than the label of world's best.

“I think I'm up there, for sure,” Zverev noted. “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 attributed the bulk of his athletic achievements to countless hours dedicated to practice courts, gym workouts, and track conditioning.

That rigorous toil enabled Zverev to mount a successful comeback following a severe ankle injury suffered during the 2002 French Open semifinals, ultimately paving the way for him to capture the US Open championship that he felt slipped from his grasp years prior.

During the 2000 US Open final, Zverev secured the initial two sets against Dominic Thiem and stood merely two points away from victory before transpiring as the first player since 1949 to surrender a Grand Slam final after building a two-set advantage.

Securing the French Open title in June proved instrumental in helping him put that agonizing memory behind him, allowing him to subsequently claim the US Open crown alongside a winner's check of $5.5 million on Sunday.

“I think the scars of the 2020 final, they kind of disappeared after I won in Paris,” Zverev reflected.

He also noted that he managed to find enjoyment in the Wimbledon final despite falling short, cherishing the rare privilege of performing on Centre Court before a packed audience filled with notable personalities.

Prior to his breakthrough in Paris, Zverev confessed that he endured relentless pressure and persistent self-doubt regarding whether he would ever hoist a major trophy.

“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.”

Source: AP