Alexander Zverev captured his second Grand Slam title by defeating Ben Shelton 6–3, 6–6 (7–6), 5–7, 6–2 in the US Open final, marking a significant breakthrough for the German star. The victory propels Zverev into contention for the world No. 1 ranking, narrowing Jannik Sinner's lead to just 1,810 points as the season heads toward its climax. Shelton's runner-up finish, coming straight before Davis Cup duty in Prague and the Laver Cup in London, extends the American men's Grand Slam drought to 23 years since Andy Roddick won in 2003. On the women's side, Elena Rybakina claimed the title and ascends to world No. 1, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the top. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has fallen to No.
12—the first time since October 2002 that neither he nor the retired Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal occupy the top 10, signaling a profound generational shift in men's tennis. The tournament itself drew criticism, with observers citing poor conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium and late finishes that tested player endurance. Zverev faced backlash over scheduling and rule interpretations, though his major triumph solidifies his place among the tour's elite. Attention now shifts to the 2026 Guadalajara WTA 1000, kicking off this week.