A potential Triple Crown? Will he win MVP? Breaking down Yordan Alvarez’s 2026 season

A potential Triple Crown? Will he win MVP? Breaking down Yordan Alvarez's 2026 season. History or not, Alvarez's offensive campaign stands alone. Here's his status in the MVP race, how his season would rank among Triple Crown winners and more.

What happened

"Zverev entered the season with an 0-3 record in Slam finals, including a heartbreaking loss in the 2020 US Open final after holding a two-set lead. As the 2026 major season comes to a close, it's the unlikely duo of Zverev and Rybakina who walk away with multiple major titles after a US Open that won't be soon forgotten. Skip to main content Skip to navigation Zverev claims the US Open title amid a chaotic tournament — and season1dD'Arcy MaineAgainst the odds: Elena Rybakina's unexpected US Open title2dD'Arcy MaineNo rest for Shelton; heading to Davis, Laver Cups20hDjokovic drops from top 10; Rybakina tops women1dPlayers halting public protests as they seek bigger cut of revenues1dShelton on Zverev's 2nd serve routine: 'Shouldn't have unlimited time'1dD'Arcy MaineRodman goes from soccer game to US Open final to watch Shelton2dZverev dashes American hopes, beats Shelton in US Open final for 2nd major2dRybakina defeats Sabalenka, wins first US Open title3dWho has won the US Open?

Zverev3dMatthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and more lead celebrity sightings at the 2026 US Open4dESPN StaffplayOops! Alexander Zverev doesn't realize he's won US Open (1:02)D'Arcy MaineMultiple AuthorsSep 13, 2026, 08:17 PM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK — After Ben Shelton's forehand return sailed out of bounds, Alexander Zverev went back to the baseline and appeared ready to continue with their match. It had taken three hours and 33 minutes — and six long years since his last devastating appearance in a final at Arthur Ashe Stadium — but he had secured the 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory on Sunday to claim his second major title of 2026 and of his career.

"So I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through — and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.

The wider picture

Sunday marked his 25th match win at a Slam in 2026, making him just the seventh man to win that many major matches in a calendar year. Few could have predicted at the start of this year that he'd clinch two major titles by season's end. While not the fairy-tale outcome the home crowd wanted, Zverev's win and his bewildered reaction at the end somehow offered a fitting conclusion for a wildly chaotic major season — and US Open.

After Sinner and Alcaraz combined to win every major title in 2024 and 2025, and played each other in three major finals last year, it seemed as if the new season would be more of the same. Alcaraz did win the 2026 Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam, but in an unexpected twist, he defeated Djokovic, and not Sinner, in the final. While women's tennis had seen a revolving door of first-time champions for some time, that trend has changed drastically in recent seasons as an elite group has become constant fixtures at the end of the tournament.

Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in Saturday's final and leaves New York with her third major title — and also her second of 2026 — and the world No. Their showdown, in the primetime slot on Friday night, became the marquee match of the tournament with a passionate crowd in attendance and both players well aware of the opportunity on the line.

What has been reported

All-time tennis singles winners2dKeith JenkinsExperts' picks: Who will win the US Open men's title? 3dHarrison, Skupski win US Open men's doubles for 2nd Grand Slam title3dBen Shelton's shot at history comes Sunday in the US Open final3dD'Arcy MaineUS Open odds: Zverev, Sabalenka favored in respective finals; books sweating Shelton3dDoug GreenbergTiafoe sees another US Open run end in semis: 'I just want to win it'3dZverev, Sabalenka favorites to win US Open titles3dDoug Greenberg'Let's do it for the USA': Shelton looks to end wait in US Open final vs.

But after a few seconds his eyes drifted to the scoreboard and reality seemed to sink in: He had just won the US Open. After he figured out what he had done, he raised his arms in triumph as he ran over to exchange a hug with Shelton. His disbelief remained moments later as he addressed the crowd. "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we won two in a span of three months," Zverev said during his victory speech, referring to the last major title won by a German man — Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open.

"Zverev became just the fourth man in history to win his first two Slam trophies in the same year, joining Jannik Sinner, Guillermo Vilas and Jimmy Connors. The crowd was firmly in support of Shelton as he looked to become the first American man to win a major title in 23 years.

What happens next

But Zverev, one of the most polarizing figures in tennis due to multiple domestic violence accusations, was dominant from the start. He broke the powerful-serving Shelton in the opening game of the match and, save for a brief lapse in the third set, remained firmly in control throughout. A visibly disappointed but gracious Shelton was effusive in his praise. "You're one of the very best players in the world, maybe the best player in the world this year," Shelton said on court.

"What you're doing is incredible, the way you're serving, the way you're moving and playing. . . [I'm] sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title. FOR TWENTY YEARS, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic ruled men's tennis. From Federer's first major title at Wimbledon in 2003 to Djokovic's most recent triumph at the US Open in 2023, the trio won 66 of 81 Slams.