Zverev defeated Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sept. 13
Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Ben Shelton lost to Alexander Zverev in the US Open men’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13
- Zverev defeated Shelton in four sets: 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2
- After the match, Shelton congratulated Zverev, adding: “You’re one of the very best players in the world. Maybe the best player in the world this year. What you’re doing is incredible.”
Ben Shelton’s first Grand Slam final has ended in heartbreak.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev defeated Shelton, 23, in four sets — 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 — at the US Open men’s singles final in front of a packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13. This is Zverev’s second Grand Slam title and second major of the year.
Shelton, who became the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, congratulated Zverev, 29, after the match, which lasted 3 hours and 37 minutes.
Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty
“First and most importantly I want to thank God. My successes are a gift. The failures are a gift. Being here playing in front of you guys is a gift,” Shelton said on the court after the match while addressing the crowd.
He added, “Congrats on these two weeks, man. Your second Grand Slam title. Two in one year. You’re one of the very best players in the world — maybe the best player in the world this year. What you’re doing is incredible.”
“The way you are serving, moving and playing. You work harder than anyone I know. You put more hours on the court than anyone I know. You and your team do things the right way. I’m sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title,” the American tennis player continued.
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An American man has not won the US Open in 23 years — since Andy Roddick’s triumph in 2003.
Zverev kept that drought alive in front of a star-studded crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where celebrities like Brad Pitt, Ines de Ramon, Anna Wintour, Katie Holmes, Pierce Brosnan, Courteney Cox, Rami Malek, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jordyn Woods, Spike Lee, Chris Pine, Martha Stewart, Benny Blanco took in the thrilling four-set match.
Credit: Al Bello/Getty
Zverev won his first major championship in June after defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the French Open.
Zverev currently ranked No. 2 in the world behind Jannik Sinner. Sinner withdrew from the US Open in August amid a lingering knee issue. The Italian athlete, 25, won the US Open in 2024.
Shelton’s journey to the final was a challenging one. He defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe, 28, in the semifinal on Friday, Sept. 11.
In Shelton’s quarterfinal clash against Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the pair played a grueling 4-hour, 28-minute match that became the latest finish in US Open history. The match began at 11:05 p.m. ET and didn’t end until 3:33 a.m. ET.
Alcaraz later congratulated Shelton in a post on Instagram. “What a battle Ben! ❤️ You deserve the win, I wish you the best for the rest of the tournament! 🙌🏻 “
He added, “I leave here happy with my level after such a long injury. Thank you for the energy NYC! ⚡️ Always a very special place! 🇺🇸.”
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