Ben Shelton has taken aim at a tennis rule he believes needs to be changed after losing to Alexander Zverev in the 2026 US Open final.

The No. 8 seed fell 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to the top seed in New York on Sunday, bringing an end to Shelton’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final. The result also left the American with a 0-6 record against Zverev.

Zverev’s habit of bouncing the ball many times before serving drew attention throughout the tournament, and Shelton was asked whether the German’s serving routine made it difficult to find a rhythm of his own.

“I think there’s not an athlete in the world that you’re going to look and watch them do their thing and they’re going to sit in a ready position for 30 seconds before the play starts,” the 23-year-old American said in his post-match press conference.

“So for me it’s the same. 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.

“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, in a ready position for that long.”

During the final, chair umpire Marijana Veljovic told Shelton to take his return position earlier. Shelton said he was told to move up, but insisted the responsibility should not fall entirely on the returner.

“[The umpire] was telling me I needed 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’,” Shelton explained.

“But I shouldn’t have to sit at the line. If he’s bouncing the ball 20 to 25 times, I shouldn’t have to just sit there for that. He should be able to start it. He never does less than 10 bounces. I’m always going to be ready when he’s ready to serve.

“I think that that is a stupid rule, that you gotta be sitting there if it’s a guy who has his routine. As long as you’re ready when he puts his hands together and starts bouncing the ball, that’s what should matter.”

Shelton was then asked about the possibility of a rule change, and said he believed the issue should be reviewed.

“I know everybody wants that to be the story… yeah, I definitely think, for a first serve, you can do whatever you want. You can use the full 25 seconds every time.

“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.

“I think for our sport, for the fans, I think it’s tough to be sitting there that long [waiting] for the next play, the next action to happen.

“I’m sure at some point, it’ll be something that these tournaments look at, just because there is such a delay in play in some matches.”

Alexander Zverev produced an emotional response to winning his first US Open title, using the moment to reflect on the health battle that has shaped his life and career.

The German defeated Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to secure the biggest title of his career in New York and end the American crowd’s hopes of seeing a home champion at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2003. Although the support inside the stadium was firmly with Shelton, the fans were respectful as Zverev spoke about his medical history and the role it has played in his journey.

Diagnosed with diabetes as a child, Zverev has become a source of inspiration for many through the way he has managed the condition while competing at the highest level. After the final, he paid a moving tribute to his mother, who he credited with helping him pursue his ambitions despite the challenges doctors once outlined.

“I want to thank one person who is never watching my matches but is the most important person in my tennis life and in my life in general,” said Zverev.

“When your four-year-old son gets diagnosed with diabetes and doctors tell you that life and sports will be very limited for that child, it takes a very strong mother to walk out of those offices and say ‘my son will be whatever wants to be – if he wants to be a tennis player, he will be a tennis player, if he wants to do something else, he will do something else – but this illness will not define us’.

“I’m happy that we worked through it and we’re doing things that we’re doing right now.

“My mother is the most important and strongest person I know because it takes an unbelievably strong woman to do what she did, so thanks to her as well.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Zverev also revisited the setbacks and near misses that marked his Grand Slam story before he won the French Open in June. He said the double milestone felt almost unreal after years of disappointment.

“I feel like there was so much suffering for the Zverev family at Grand Slam level, that maybe 2026 is the year we should just enjoy,” he added.

“Everything is going perfectly. I am unbelievably happy.

“Three months ago if I was told you are going to win one Grand Slam in your career and nothing else, I would have signed the paper straight away and never questioned it.

“Now standing here with two Grand Slam trophies in the space of months is incredible.”

Alexander Zverev finished the 2026 season with the most Grand Slam titles after capturing his first US Open crown at Flushing Meadows, defeating Ben Shelton in four sets.

The German had already secured his maiden major at the French Open in June, and he added a New York triumph to his breakthrough year with a composed win over Shelton, despite a crowd that was firmly behind the Florida-born American.

Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, many fans were hoping to see the first American male win the US Open since Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003. Instead, Zverev maintained his strong hold over Shelton, extending their head-to-head record to 6-0.

His 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 win confirmed his place among the game’s multiple Grand Slam champions. It also brought him the largest prize cheque ever awarded in men’s tennis.

Jannik Sinner collected $6.5m for winning the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia last year, but the $5.5 million Zverev earned at the US Open represented the biggest prize-money payout in a competitive event.

The US Open increased its total prize pool by 20% in 2026, with $108 million on offer across all competitions. That uplift was significant for the players who advanced deep into the singles draws.

Elena Rybakina took home $5.5 million after beating Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s women’s final, and Zverev matched that figure by holding his nerve in the men’s championship match.

Shelton will be disappointed that he could not capitalize on Zverev’s nerves, but he will still leave with $2.8 million in prize money. That runner-up sum is more than the $2.5million Emma Raducanu earned when she won the US Open title five years ago, a reminder of how sharply the financial landscape has changed.

Zverev also collected 2,000 ATP Ranking points, though he remains 1,810 points behind Jannik Sinner in the race for world No 1. Shelton, meanwhile, will rise to a career-high No 4 on Monday and has secured his place as American No 1 after his run in New York.