Zverev’s dream season continues with trophy
U.S. Open tennis
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NEW YORK -- Alexander Zverev's best year in tennis goes on, and so does that lengthy Grand Slam drought for American men.
Zverev won his second major championship and disappointed a crowd that was desperate to see the first Grand Slam title by an American man since 2003, beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 on Sunday in the U.S. Open final.
Zverev finally broke through in the majors by winning this year's French Open and followed up by adding the title in New York that he so painfully let slip away in 2020.
The No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, he capitalized on Shelton's shaky start in his first major final, played a nearly flawless tiebreaker on serve and then turned back a comeback attempt in front of a crowd that feverishly cheered Shelton on -- including girlfriend Trinity Rodman, who made it from her own soccer match in Washington before the finish.
"I know today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I'm very sorry first of all," Zverev said during the trophy presentation. "But second, it was an incredible atmosphere to play in. Even though I know that the crowd was against me, the crowd was always incredibly fair."
Shelton was trying to win the first title by an American man since Andy Roddick won in Flushing Meadows in 2003, as well as become the first Black player to win the men's crown since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
But Zverev was too good in majors this year and apparently didn't even know how good he was. He finished the match on his serve but didn't seem to realize it, dropping back behind the baseline as if set to return. Only a few moments later did he figure out he had won, raising his arms in celebration.
"You're one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year," Shelton told Zverev.
Women's title
NEW YORK -- Elena Rybakina was going to see her name on top of the women's tennis rankings Monday no matter what happened in the U.S. Open final.
Still, it wouldn't have felt quite the same to pass Aryna Sabalenka and become No. 1 in a tournament where Sabalenka then beat Rybakina to defend her title. It would not only have been confusing to casual fans, but a letdown to the player.
Nothing to worry about there. Rybakina was too good for Sabalenka and anyone else in the sport right now, so her 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory Sunday triggered a dual celebration.
"I feel that it's going to be amazing to wake up knowing that you achieved such big things," Rybakina said.
The 28-year-old Sabalenka from Belarus had won the previous two U.S. Open titles, appeared in three straight finals and reached at least the semifinals every year since 2021. Rybakina, meanwhile, had never even gotten past the fourth round before this year.
There could be more to come. The 27-year-old who was born in Russia but represents Kazakhstan is on top of her game, with two Grand Slam titles in 2026. She beat Sabalenka in both finals, and even the former No. 1 concedes it would be tough to get back to the top if Rybakina stays at the level she displayed in Flushing Meadows.
"She continues to play like that, then yeah, I'm in trouble," Sabalenka said.