'I forgot the score' - Alexander Zverev reflects on bizarre moment of US Open victory

The German won the championship point in the final against Ben Shelton, but instead of cueing the usual flood of emotion, Zverev chipped the balls over the net and hung out at the baseline as he prepared to receive another service game. His incredulous coaching box intervened, and Zverev's reaction was akin to realising he'd been pranked.

He signed off with a 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 victory to secure his second career Grand Slam title.

"In that moment, I was in the zone a lot, I didn't hear noise at all," reflected Zverev.

"I was in this kind of tunnel where I just didn't hear anything. Also, when the crowd is loud, it's impossible to hear the umpire, so I didn't hear that she said, 'Game, set, match'. At the end of the day, I just forgot the score. I just thought it was 5-1 instead of 6-2."

Zverev was considered the 'nearly man'of tennis un til this year. Before his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open in May, he had reached no less than seven semifinals and three finals without reward.

"I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through," said the 29-year-old.

"I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before. I think the scars of the 2020 final, they kind of disappeared after I won in Paris. I said it at Wimbledon. Even though I lost the final, I enjoyed the match. I enjoyed being in the Grand Slam final, I enjoyed playing on Centre Court, I enjoyed playing in front of an amazing crowd, in front of some celebrities and all that. I enjoyed doing that.

"Whereas before winning in Paris, I felt a lot of stress all the time, because there was always a question mark: 'Will I ever win one?' What I think now is just more of a joy to play those kinds of finals." 

READ MORE: Alexander Zverev downs Ben Shelton to win US Open in New York