World No. 2 Alexander Zverev captured the first Grand Slam title of his career on Sunday, defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a dramatic five-set French Open final at Roland Garros.
The German second seed battled to a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 victory in four hours and 16 minutes, becoming the first German man to win a major title since Boris Becker lifted the Australian Open trophy in 1996.
“This court is so special to me in so many ways… but now finally, it’s a happy end,” an emotional Zverev said after the match.
The triumph marked a long-awaited breakthrough for the 29-year-old, who had previously fallen short in three Grand Slam finals, including a heartbreaking defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final and a dramatic loss to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final after squandering a two-set lead.
Addressing his team during the trophy presentation, Zverev reflected on the setbacks that had defined much of his major tournament career.
“We’ve been through losses. We’ve been losers at times as well in the most important moments. But at the end of the day, we’re Grand Slam champions now, and that’s what counts,” he said.
For Cobolli, the final represented the biggest match of his career. The 24-year-old 10th seed was seeking to become the first Italian man to win the French Open since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Despite falling short, Cobolli produced a spirited display and pushed Zverev to the limit in a gripping contest.
“It’s not easy for me to talk right now,” Cobolli said after receiving the runner-up trophy from Panatta.
“I’m happy for you, but I’m also sad because I was close and I feel it. So now you’ve achieved your dream, let me win the next time.”
Zverev dominated an error-strewn opening set as Cobolli struggled with nerves, but the Italian settled into the contest and levelled the match by taking the second set.
The German regained control by clinching the third set, only for Cobolli to respond once more, winning a tense fourth-set tie-break to force a decider.
With the championship hanging in the balance, Zverev’s experience proved decisive. He broke serve in the opening game of the fifth set and never looked back, overcoming several break-point threats before sealing victory on his second championship point.
The win caps years of frustration for Zverev, who had previously lost six Grand Slam quarter-finals, seven semi-finals, and three finals. It also removes the unwanted label of being one of the best players never to have won a major title.
Zverev was aided by a draw opened up by the absence of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz through injury and early exits for top rivals Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, but he ultimately seized the opportunity to etch his name into Grand Slam history.
As Cobolli’s final overhead sailed long on championship point, Zverev collapsed onto the clay in celebration, finally ending his long wait for major glory.
AFP
