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.

Juan Martin del Potro has drawn a direct line from Ben Shelton’s US Open surge to the very top of the rankings, suggesting the American has the tools to become world No. 1.

Shelton, the No 8 seed, will meet top seed Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles final at Flushing Meadows as he pursues his first Grand Slam title. The 23-year-old is also trying to end the long wait for an American men’s major champion, with Andy Roddick the last to do so when he won the 2003 US Open.

It will be Shelton’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final, while Zverev is contesting his sixth final at this level. Shelton reached the championship match by producing one of the tournament’s defining wins, outlasting defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the quarter-finals before beating Frances Tiafoe in four sets in the semi-finals.

Zverev arrives with his own momentum. After winning the 2026 French Open, he is now seeking a second major title, and he booked his place in the final by defeating Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals.

Del Potro, who captured his only Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2009, spoke to L’Equipe about Shelton and was impressed by what he had seen. “This tournament is an opportunity for him to take on a major challenge,” said the former world No 3 (translated from French).

“His match against Alcaraz was something epic that surprised everyone with his level of play for five hours. So, okay, he did it once, and the most logical thing would be for his level to drop a little.

“But if he maintains such a high level, he should, naturally, win this tournament and very soon be fighting for the first or second place in the world rankings.”

Shelton, meanwhile, framed the final as a chance to test himself at the highest level. Ahead of the match, he said: “I’m playing against the No 1 seed, in a Grand Slam final, playing against a Grand Slam champion trying to get my first.

“It’s a lot of reasons that this is an enjoyable moment for me and knowing that I can leave it all out there on the court and push myself to the absolute limit in every way and see what I can do is an exciting thought.”