After years of patience, hard work, and enduring injury, Alexander Zverev ended his long wait for a Grand Slam title by defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a thrilling five-set final at the French Open 2026 on Sunday.
The 29-year-old German rallied to a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 victory after four hours and 16 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier, securing the maiden major title of his career.
With this win, Alexander Zverev also became the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker lifted the Australian Open 1996 trophy three decades ago.
“This court is so special to me in so many ways… but now finally, it’s a happy end,” said Zverev, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the 2022 semi-final against Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he was also edged out in five sets by Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 final.”
Alexander Zverev played his second Grand Slam final at French Open
The final at the Roland Garros was Zverev’s fourth Grand Slam final and second in the French Open, after some heartbreaking near misses in his career. On the very same ground, Zverev got injured in 2022 in the final against Rafael Nadal.
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“We’ve been through losses, we’ve been losers at times as well in the most important moments,” he said during the trophy presentation, turning to his team.
“But at the end of the day, we’re Grand Slam champions now, and that’s what counts.”
Cobolli, the 10th seed, was aiming to become the first Italian man to win the French Open in 50 years. The 24-year-old had never qualified for the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam before this tournament and found himself in the final after his semi-final opponent, Matteo Arnaldi, withdrew due to illness.
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“It’s not easy for me to talk right now,” said Cobolli after the loss. “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.”
Following Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal and early exit for Novak Djokovic, the 29-year-old made full use of the opportunity to break his Grand Slam losing streak. The world number three has lost in six Slam quarter-finals and seven semi-finals, alongside his three final defeats.
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