Shelton makes self-criticism: "I just have to be better"

Ben Shelton will have to wait to achieve his first Grand Slam. The Atlanta native wanted to break the 23-year drought of American men's tennis without a Grand Slam title, but in his way stood Alexander Zverev, who was crowned the new US Open champion, after defeating him 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.

Despite his strong two weeks in New York, Shelton appeared hurt at the post-match press conference. There, he spoke about Zverev's great game and the areas where he could improve, summarizing his self-critique in a simple yet impactful phrase: “I have to be better”.

Shelton reflected on his US Open final loss

"I’m disappointed with how today went. I’m happy with how I fought this week and these two weeks. I’m excited about the progress I feel I’ve made, but yes, this loss hurts 100%. Now it’s time to turn the page. I need to keep improving and arrive in Australia even stronger than I came here."

HE DIDN'T REALIZE HE'D WON 🏆

Alexander Zverev exorcises his 2020 demons and defeats Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 to win his first US Open title! pic.twitter.com/f0Cnl2xvgI

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 13, 2026

He praised Zverev

"He has the best serve in tennis. Today I broke his serve for the first time in 66 games. I think when you add to that how good he is outside of serving, how complete he is, you realize everything he has. He has improved a lot at the net. He is an elite mover at 2.01 meters tall. He has great reach, so he returns very well. He is solid from the baseline and also one of the fittest players on the circuit."

"Yes, he is a very tough opponent, no doubt. I think I started to find some solutions in the third set. I was angry. At the end of the match, I was a bit tired. But I think there are a lot of things he presents out there."

Shelton pointed out the cause of his defeat in the US Open final

"I didn’t play from the baseline the way I wanted. As the match went on, I didn’t hit my forehand well. I wasn’t precise with it when I was attacking. I made too many errors when I had the ball in my hitting zone. I either made a great return and left myself a comfortable ball, or I was playing well from the baseline and had a forehand to attack. Today I wasn’t aggressive enough with my forehand. I also didn’t transition well. I made too many mistakes, and I think that’s the big lesson for me."

"I want to be more lethal with my forehand. It's not easy playing against a player like him, where the opportunities are... there are very few opportunities. You have to work hard for every point you win, that’s clear, but for me that was the missing piece today."

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Shelton sought the positive from losing a Grand Slam final

"That’s motivating. Losing a final is also motivating, but this is the position I want to be in. My whole life I’ve had players ahead of me, players I was chasing, players whose level I was trying to reach. I’m someone who has matured late. It has always been that way. Now it’s no different."

"I haven’t always been successful the first time I’ve reached a final, from when I was very young to the Challenger level and now at the ATP and Grand Slam level. I think it’s an ongoing process for me. That’s how I see it. I don’t think I’m anywhere near the player I want to become. I think I’m a great competitor. I think I compete very well on the court."

"I’m capable of maintaining focus and being there for many hours. I think that will help me in the future. But yes, to win on Sundays, you have to play tennis at a very high level. Any opponent you have at this stage of the tournament is in rhythm and playing incredible tennis. I just have to be better."

Shelton got emotional talking about his girlfriend and family

"It means everything. Yes, I knew she was coming (his girlfriend). I knew it would be almost impossible for her to make it, but even making the effort and trying is incredible. She arrived just as I was losing, which was probably hard for her. But yes, we have made a lot of sacrifices for each other. We’ve traveled all over the world to support each other when we can."

"It means a lot, and the same goes for my family and friends. So many people have been there for me, and that’s what this is about: being able to share these moments, share these two weeks with my best friends, my family, and the people I love. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I enjoy this so much. They are the people I want to cross the finish line for. I am very, very grateful for all the people I have around me," concluded Ben Shelton who, despite not winning the US Open, claims to have learned the lesson.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton hace autocrítica: "Simplemente tengo que ser mejor"