Key Takeaways
- Ben Shelton admitted “this one stings 100%” after losing the 2026 US Open final to Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2.
- Shelton lauded Zverev’s formidable game, noting “he’s got the best serve in tennis” after breaking him for the first time in 66 games.
- Shelton defended not crouching in ready position early during Zverev’s routine and suggested tournaments consider “limiting time on second serve”.
Reflecting on a breakthrough Grand Slam final run
Ben Shelton fell just short of Grand Slam glory at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, dropping a hard-fought contest in the final of the 2026 US Open. Germany’s Alexander Zverev claimed his maiden US Open title with a 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 victory over the American.
Shelton showed tremendous fight over the course of the fortnight, pushing into the second Sunday and mounting a spirited charge in the third set before Zverev reasserted control to close out the match.
Facing the media shortly after leaving the court, Shelton made no effort to disguise the disappointment of missing out on the trophy while recognizing the steps forward he has taken over the fortnight. “Oh, yeah. I’m motivated. Disappointed with how today went. Happy with how I fought throughout the week. Two weeks,” Shelton explained. “Excited with the progress that I feel that I’ve made, but, yeah, this one stings 100% and, yeah, it’s on to the next. Try to keep getting better and show up in Australia even stronger than I showed up here.”
The challenge of solving Alexander Zverev
Breaking through Zverev’s formidable serve proved a daunting task. Shelton managed to break the German’s delivery for the first time after an astonishing stretch, but acknowledged the completeness of his opponent’s overall repertoire.
“Obviously the serve he’s got the best serve in tennis. I broke him today for the first time in 66 games,” Shelton said. “And I think you combine that with as good as he is as a tennis player outside the serve. You know, how complete he is, he’s gotten so much better at the net. He’s an elite mover at 6’7, he’s got a lot of length, so he returns really well. From the baseline, and one of the fittest guys on tour, too.”
Shelton pointed to execution errors on his aggressive forehand as a key shortcoming during the encounter. “I definitely didn’t execute from the ground the way I wanted to,” he admitted. “I didn’t hit my forehand well today. I wasn’t accurate with it. When I attacked with it, I made too many errors when I had the ball there on my strings.”
Shelton added that while he was content with his backhand, his offensive baseline game missed the sharpness required on the day: “I wasn’t amazing attacking with my forehand today. I wasn’t great in transition. I made too many errors. And I think that’s the big piece for me. I want to be more lethal with my forehand.”
Pacing, ready position, and second-serve delays
During the match, Shelton drew attention for waiting to drop into his return stance while Zverev conducted his deliberate pre-serve routine. Shelton clarified that the strategy was purely physical preservation rather than gamesmanship.
“I’m not going to sit there in a ready position with my knees bent, tension in my body for 30 seconds while I’m waiting,” Shelton noted. “I’m going to try to stay loose and, you know, I’ll let him do his thing when he’s up there, but I’m not going to sit there, be locked in, focused, like I said, in ready position for that long.”
When asked about conversations with the chair umpire regarding the line, Shelton questioned the interpretation of the timing rule. “No, she was telling me I need to get to the line earlier. And I was like, he can start his routine whenever he wants. I promise you there will never be a time where he serves and I’m not ready. But I shouldn’t have to sit at the line,” he stated. “I think that that is stupid rule that that you got to be sitting there if it’s a guy who has his routine.”
Looking at the broader game, Shelton suggested tournaments might eventually explore regulations around second serves to keep proceedings moving. “I think that there should be some sort of rule. I’m not sure exactly how you would do it. Limiting time on second serve. You shouldn’t have unlimited time,” Shelton remarked, though he dismissed the notion that waiting caused his fatigue: “I wouldn’t say my tiredness had to do with standing there and waiting. Just cumulative for the tournament.”
Embracing the stage and looking forward
Walking out into Arthur Ashe Stadium for a Grand Slam championship contest left an indelible impression on the young American. “That’s such a cool moment. Walking out on that court today, there’s nothing like it. I’ve never felt anything like that before,” Shelton shared. “It’s an addicting feeling being in positions like this.”
Shelton emphasized that developing into a championship winner takes patience and continual development across stages of his career. “I’m a late bloomer. That’s just the way that’s always been. It’s no different now,” he said. “I don’t think I’m anywhere near the player that I want to be.”
Having family and friends—including Trinity, who made a major trip to attend—in his corner meant a great deal to Shelton as he concluded his memorable fortnight in New York. “Being able to share these moments, share these two weeks with my best friends and my family, people I love. That’s why I’m out here doing this,” he stated. “That’s who I want to get over the line for.”
Alexander Zverev in 2026
Currently ranked no.2 (career-high), Alexander played his last match on the 13th of September when he beat world no.9 Ben Shelton 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 in the final of the U.S. Open to win his 27th career title.
Until now, during this year Alexander has achieved an overall 54-13 match record. The German clinched 2 titles in 2026 at the French Open and U.S. Open.
Ben Shelton in 2026
Currently the world no.9, Ben played his last match on the 13th of September when he capitulated to world no.2 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2 in the final of the U.S. Open (draw).
This year Shelton has a compiled 39-15 match record. Shelton clinched 4 titles in 2026 in Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart and Montreal.
Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton faced off 6 times. Their head to head is 6-0 for Zverev.
