Alexander Zverev has just won his second Grand Slam title of 2026, but the German was not ready to put himself above Jannik Sinner when asked who would be the best tennis player in the world with everyone fully fit.
Zverev defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open 2026 final on Sunday to claim his first title at Flushing Meadows and move to two major trophies for the season and career. With Sinner missing the tournament through injury and Carlos Alcaraz returning after a four-month injury layoff, Zverev was asked whether he now considered himself the best player in the world. His answer was honest.
Alexander Zverev puts Sinner ahead when both are healthy
“Right now, with Jannik injured and Carlos returning from a four-month injury, probably yes,” Zverev said.
“But with both healthy at 100%, I think Jannik is still ahead of everyone. It’s as simple as that.”
Alexander Zverev when asked if he’s the best in the world right now:
”Right now, probably yes. Both of them [Sinner and Alcaraz] healthy and at the top of their game? Maybe not. If everyone is healthy, Jannik is still ahead.”pic.twitter.com/Od3x0fTYZt
— Kalshi Tennis (@KalshiTen) September 14, 2026
The German has plenty of evidence behind his own claim. He won the French Open earlier this year, reached the Wimbledon final and then completed his Grand Slam season with another major title in New York.
The US Open victory also ended a six-year wait for Zverev after his heartbreaking loss to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 final.
He admitted that the latest triumph was the result of years of work rather than something that happened overnight.
“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered and the pain we went through,” Zverev said after the final. “I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.”
Zverev did not even realise he had won
The German’s focus was so intense during the final that he initially did not realise he had sealed the championship.
After hitting the winning serve, Zverev moved back as if he was preparing for another point. He later explained that he thought the score was still 5-1.
“In that moment I was in the zone, a lot. I didn’t hear the noise at all,” he said. “I was in this kind of tunnel where I just didn’t hear anything.”
☠️💀 JAJAJA, ESTA DECLARACIÓN DE ALEXANDER ZVEREV.
🗣️ “Pensé que el marcador iba 5-1, sinceramente. Lo cual me ayudó, porque probablemente de haberlo sabido habría cometido tres dobles faltas en lugar de una”.
Sincero el tipo. pic.twitter.com/c2pvIslMl8 https://t.co/cN4hYHyvy0
— Tiempo De Tenis (@Tiempodetenis1) September 13, 2026
It took several seconds before he realised the match was over and he had finally become a US Open champion.
Zverev also praised Shelton, who was playing in his first Grand Slam final and had the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd firmly behind him.
“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 ceremony. “But second, it was an incredible atmosphere to play in.”
