Brian Lewis Trust the process: Ben Shelton will be back after US Open loss — even as drought continues By Brian Lewis Published Sep. 14, 2026, 1:42 a.m. ET Ben Shelton of the US reacts after losing the men's singles final tennis match to Germany's Alexander Zverev at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. AFP via Getty Images The American men’s Grand Slam drought is 92 straight, 24 years and counting.
Ben Shelton’s run to the U.S. Open final showed he might be the best suited to end that malaise.
His one-sided 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 loss to Alexander Zverev showed how far he is from cracking into tennis’ new Big Three, from having a viable Plan B against the sport’s Big Three when he doesn’t have his A game.
“I’m motivated. Disappointed with how [Sunday] went. Happy with how I fought throughout the two weeks, excited with the progress I’ve made. But yeah, this one stings, 100 percent,” said Shelton. “Try to keep getting better and show up in Australia even stronger than I showed up here.”
