Alexander Zverev enters the US Open final against American Ben Shelton in New York prepared to face a hostile, partisan crowd of nearly 24,000 fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, stating plainly that the hostile atmosphere does not bother him ahead of the championship match.
Zverev Unfazed by Pro-American Crowd in New York
With the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd expected to heavily favor local favorite Ben Shelton, Alexander Zverev has made it clear that crowd noise and partisan support will not impact his mindset.
“I don’t care about that. I’ve been playing in stadiums that are sometimes against me for over ten years,” Zverev said ahead of the final. “I’m used to it, I also like such atmospheres. I will enjoy it somewhere and hopefully be successful.”
The championship showdown is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. German CEST (2:00 p.m. local Eastern time). For Ben Shelton, a victory would mark the first Grand Slam singles title by an American male player since Andy Roddick secured the US Open trophy in 2003, ensuring fierce backing from the New York stands.
Zverev acknowledged that an energetic crowd is welcome as long as boundaries are respected. “For me, a loud and energized crowd is always great as long as it’s fair and doesn’t interrupt me in the middle of the point. Otherwise, I always enjoy such atmospheres,” Zverev noted.
Chasing History and Drawing Confidence From Paris
Zverev enters the final seeking his second career Grand Slam title and looking to etch his name into German tennis history. A victory would make him only the second male German player to capture the US Open title in the Open Era, following Boris Becker’s triumph in 1989. Six years ago, Zverev reached the New York final but fell short against Austria’s Dominic Thiem after holding a two-set lead and standing just two points away from victory.
However, the 29-year-old arrives in this year’s final carrying the experience of a major champion. Earlier this season, Zverev claimed his maiden Grand Slam title by winning the French Open at Roland Garros.
“What might give me peace is that I won in Paris,” Zverev said. “On Sunday, it’s a huge tennis match. A Grand Slam final is a Grand Slam final. There will be nerves involved, you have to deal with them and play your best tennis.”
Road Ahead and Match Details
As Zverev prepares for his second appearance in a New York title match, tournament organizers have confirmed the local start time of 2:00 p.m. EDT (8:00 p.m. CEST).
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