Alexander Zverev can finally shed the label of being one of the greatest players never to win a Grand Slam title.
The German star captured his first major championship on Sunday, defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the French Open final at Roland Garros.
Playing in his fourth Grand Slam final, Zverev seized a golden opportunity with neither Jannik Sinner nor Carlos Alcaraz standing across the net. The world No. 3 delivered a composed and powerful performance on the Paris clay to secure the biggest victory of his career.
The emotional moment arrived after more than four hours of grueling tennis when Cobolli missed an overhead on championship point. Zverev immediately fell onto his back on the clay, covering his face with his hands as tears streamed down his cheeks. As he rose, his shirt and arms stained with the red dirt of Roland Garros, he once again buried his face in his hands before lifting both arms in triumph.
The celebration continued during the trophy presentation. When presented with the Coupe des Mousquetaires, Zverev raised it high above his head and unleashed a roar of relief and joy.
“This court is so special to me in so many ways,” Zverev said. “I’ve had the best moments of my life on this court; I’ve had the worst moment of my life on these courts.”
His comments referenced the devastating injury he suffered during a semifinal against Rafael Nadal in 2022, when he was forced to leave the court in a wheelchair.
“I was lying in that corner over there four years ago with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones,” Zverev said. “I lost a Grand Slam final here two years ago, but now finally, it’s a happy ending.”
After years of near misses and heartbreak, Zverev’s perseverance paid off with a long-awaited breakthrough, as he finally claimed the French Open crown and the first Grand Slam title of his career.
