As he stepped up to the baseline, Alexander Zverev could be forgiven for letting his mind slip back to the last time he served for the US Open title.
Six years ago, the German top seed threw away a two-set lead in a devastating loss to Dominic Thiem, having served for the match in the fifth set.
This time, instead of his own nerves, it was American Ben Shelton and the majority of the 24,000-strong crowd that stood in Zverev’s way.
But this was a different Zverev: a Grand Slam champion now, having won the French Open in June.
Such was his focus that he did not initially realise he had sealed a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-2 victory.
After firing down another unstoppable serve to win the match, Zverev returned to the baseline ready to start the next point – only to be told by his team the match was over.
“In that moment I was in the zone a lot. I didn’t hear noise at all,” Zverev said.
“It’s funny – tennis teachers always tell you to just play the next point and forget about the score.
“At that moment I forgot about the score and it helped me.”
As the realisation sunk in, the 29-year-old broke into a broad and slightly surprised smile before raising his arms above his head.
It was a direct contrast to his defeat by Thiem in 2020, where a tearful Zverev said during the trophy presentation: “I wish one day I can bring the trophy home.”
Now, his wish has come true.
“We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we’ve won two in three months,” said Zverev.
“2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.”
Zverev’s parents were not there for his previous final at Flushing Meadows, but his father and coach Alexander senior was on the sidelines this time.
As well as paying tribute to his father, Zverev also thanked his mother for her support following his type 1 diabetes diagnosis as a child.
“When doctors tell you that life and sports will be very limited for that child, it takes a very strong mother to say ‘my son will be whatever he wants to be’,” Zverev said.
“My mother is the most important and strongest person I know.”
