Shelton, to Zverev: "You are the best player in the world this year"

Ben Shelton fell short in his attempt to win his first Grand Slam at the US Open 2026. After putting together an almost perfect tournament and defeating opponents like Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Frances Tiafoe, the American tennis player succumbed in the final to Alexander Zverev clearly after lowering his performance compared to his previous matches. In his speech during the trophy ceremony, he thanked the journey he experienced in this tournament and lavished praise on the German tennis player.

"First of all, I want to thank God. My successes are a gift. Failures are a gift. Being here playing in front of all of you is a gift. Sascha, congratulations on these two weeks, my friend. Your second Grand Slam title. Two in the same year. You are one of the best players in the world. Perhaps the best player in the world this year. What you are doing is incredible.

The way you serve, move, and play... You work harder than anyone I know. You spend more hours on the court than anyone I know. You and your team do things right. I sincerely congratulate you on achieving this title. It has taken a lot to get here," he concluded.

There were high expectations for Shelton going into this final, as the United States has been without a champion in the men's draw of the US Open for 23 years. Andy Roddick was the last in 2003, and they will have to keep waiting. However, this tournament could mark a turning point for the 23-year-old American tennis player, who has proven to himself that he is on the right path in his evolution as a player. Now, it's time to continue polishing the weak points and fighting to return to a stage of this magnitude.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton, a Zverev: "Eres el mejor jugador del mundo este año"