NEW YORK — The roar inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for Ben Shelton surpassed even the cheers for New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns when they appeared on the video boards. That deafening support signaled a city fully behind the latest American hope to end a Grand Slam title drought stretching back to 2003. Yet, the crowd’s energy could not carry Shelton past Alexander Zverev, who claimed a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory to secure his second major championship.
Shelton’s Rallying Cry Met With Zverev’s Resolve
After defeating compatriot Francis Tiafoe in the semifinals, Shelton issued a direct plea to the fans.
“I’m going to need you guys on Sunday to bring the energy,” Shelton said on Friday night after defeating fellow American Francis Tiafoe. “I’m going for it here. I’m going to leave it all on the court. I hope you guys come and back me. Let’s do this for the USA.”
The audience answered with fervor, but Zverev proved immovable. The German broke Shelton early and controlled the baseline exchanges. A turning point arrived in the 34th game when Shelton finally broke Zverev to take the third set, flashing the signature smile that usually masks intensity. The momentum evaporated instantly; Zverev broke back to open the fourth set and rolled through the remaining games.
An Unusual Finish for a Grand Slam Champion
So locked in was Zverev that he did not realize he had won the match on his serve at 5-1 in the fourth set, thinking the score was still 5-1 after a double break. The confusion provided an amusing conclusion to a tense fortnight.
“[It] helped me,” Zverev said. “I probably would have served like three double faults instead of one. I thought the score was 5-1, I knew that I had broken twice, but yeah, it was a long match. Long two weeks.”
The 29-year-old Zverev, long considered the best player without a major title during the dominance of the Big Three and the subsequent rise of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, captured his first Grand Slam at Roland-Garros earlier this year. The US Open crown confirms his arrival among the sport’s elite.
American Men’s Grand Slam Drought Extends to 24 Years
For American men, the wait continues. Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph remains the last time an American man hoisted a major trophy. Despite a deep talent pool, the United States has produced no male Grand Slam champion in over two decades—a puzzling drought comparable to the national team’s World Cup struggles.
Unlike soccer’s quadrennial cycle, tennis offers four annual opportunities. The next chance arrives at the Australian Open in January. However, the path remains blocked by a formidable barrier: if Alcaraz and Sinner return to peak form and Zverev continues his ascent, the top of the game may be more impenetrable than ever. Veterans of the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era — Mardy Fish, John Isner, Sam Querrey, James Blake — know the frustration of facing an insurmountable summit.
Shelton’s Unconventional Rise and Uncertain Trajectory
Ben Shelton, 23, embodies the argument that America’s best athletes often choose football or basketball. A late convert to tennis, the 6-foot-4 athlete initially eyed the gridiron. He bypassed the traditional U.S. junior development system, learning the game from his father, Bryan Shelton. His blend of raw athleticism, fluid shot-making, and magnetic charisma marks him as a potential star.
This US Open marked Shelton’s first Grand Slam final, following semifinal runs at the 2023 US Open and 2025 Australian Open. His 2026 season has been a study in volatility, ranging from a first-round Wimbledon exit to this championship match. Whether this experience propels him forward or precedes another regression will begin to unfold in Melbourne.
Roddick Refuses to Celebrate the Dubious Distinction
Andy Roddick, the last American man to win a major, has no interest in preserving his place in the record books.
“At this point, I hate talking about it,” he said on his “Served” podcast last year. “I get asked about it all the time. I’m not the ’72 Dolphins. I don’t pop champagne when someone’s perfect season is gone. I want this so much, probably more than anyone outside the people who are going to end up winning it.”
In Formula 1, another global sport where American drivers have struggled to dominate, there is a saying: catching the leader is one thing; passing them is another. For years, American men could not even catch the leaders. Shelton has finally closed the gap. The next challenge is learning how to overtake them.
Yahoo Sports’ Jack Baer contributed to this report.
