Alexander Zverev’s long wait for a Grand Slam title is finally over.The German star secured the first major championship of his career on Sunday by defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the French Open final at Roland Garros. The victory came in Zverev’s fourth Grand Slam final, ending years of near misses on tennis’ biggest stages. When Cobolli sent an overhead wide on Zverev’s second championship point after a marathon contest lasting more than four hours, the third seed collapsed onto the clay in celebration. Overcome with emotion, Zverev lay on his back before covering his face with his hands as tears flowed. Covered in the red clay of Roland Garros, he eventually rose to acknowledge the moment before raising his arms in triumph. The title places Zverev in a select group of players who claimed their first major championship in their fourth Grand Slam final. The list includes former champions Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic and Dominic Thiem. The path to the title opened up significantly for Zverev after several of the sport’s biggest names exited the tournament. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner endured a difficult campaign and squandered a two-set lead and a 5-1 advantage against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. A day later, Novak Djokovic was also knocked out, while two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz had withdrawn before the tournament because of a right wrist injury. For Zverev, the triumph was particularly significant given his previous disappointments in Grand Slam finals. He had led by two sets to one against Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final before losing. Earlier, he squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final and was beaten in straight sets by Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open title match. The French Open crown is the 25th ATP title of Zverev’s career. Cobolli, meanwhile, was appearing in the biggest match of his career. The 14th-ranked Italian had never advanced beyond a Grand Slam quarterfinal before this tournament and was hoping to become the first Italian man to win the Roland Garros singles title since Adriano Panatta’s triumph in 1976. Panatta, who came through the same tennis club in Rome as Cobolli, was invited to present the Coupe des Mousquetaires on the 50th anniversary of his victory. Ultimately, however, the trophy went to Zverev. The German dominated the opening stages of the contest, breaking serve in the very first game and racing through the first set. Cobolli gradually fought his way back into the match, energised by vocal support from his team and Italian fans in the stands. He even forced a deciding set after recovering from a 3-1 deficit in the fourth-set tiebreak and sealing it with a forehand winner down the line. But the effort appeared to take its toll. Cobolli faded physically in the fifth set, allowing Zverev to seize complete control and storm to victory. The men’s final followed Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva’s triumph in the women’s singles event on Saturday, capping a memorable fortnight at Roland Garros.
