German tennis star Alexander Zverev showed great respect for the fans and Ben Shelton right after winning the US Open. He said he really loved the wild crowd inside the arena, even though almost everyone there wanted the young American to win the match. The fresh New York champion shared a touching story about his mother helping him beat a tough childhood illness, and he also promised that Shelton will become a huge star very soon.
Zverev opened his post-match speech by explaining that he felt very glad about the energy in the building, even if nearly every person sitting inside Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered loudly for Ben. He pointed out that people shouted against him, yet they still showed total respect and acted like true sports lovers from start to finish. He told the audience that their loud voices and massive passion gave the final an unforgettable feeling.
Next, the new champion decided to share several kind, motivating thoughts directly with his beaten opponent.
This big result pushed the long American wait for a home men’s Grand Slam title even further into the future.
The German star kept talking by saying that he feels certain Ben will come back to this grand stage and compete in plenty of major finals, especially in New York. He said that if someone asked him to place a huge bet with every dollar he owned, he would easily bet that Shelton will raise this silver cup in the future.
To finish his victory speech, he made sure to show deep love and appreciation for his mom sitting in the player box.
Zverev wrapped up everything by explaining that he needed to give his mother the biggest credit for his entire journey. He told the crowd that she helped him grow into a top athlete after doctors found his diabetes when he was only four years old. He said that only a truly brave parent can leave the clinic and tell everyone that her boy will achieve any goal he sets for his life.
Zverev’s triumph marks a defining milestone in his Grand Slam career, closing the chapter on his heartbreaking 2020 US Open final defeat where he was just two points away from the trophy against Dominic Thiem. That devastating loss, followed by a severe ankle ligament tear at Roland Garros in 2022, had cast long doubts over whether the former world top-ranked contender would ever secure an elusive major singles title.
For the home audience in New York, the outcome extended a championship drought in American men’s tennis that stretches back to Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory. Despite electric runs by rising talents like Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Fritz over recent seasons, American men have repeatedly fallen short against elite European opposition in the final rounds of the sport’s biggest stages.
Shelton’s run to the championship match further established his status as the premier big-server of the modern tour. Armed with a left-handed delivery that regularly clocks over 140 mph and an aggressive baseline approach, the 2022 NCAA champion has cemented himself as a fixture in the late stages of Grand Slams, giving American tennis enthusiasts a consistent contender on fast surfaces.
