Alexander Zverev secured his first Grand Slam title on June 7, 2026, defeating Italy's Flavio Cobolli in a five-set match at Roland-Garros. Zverev won with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1, overcoming the pressure that had plagued him in three previous major finals.
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With this victory, Zverev becomes the first German man to win a singles Grand Slam since Boris Becker in 1996. Previously regarded as arguably the best player without a major title, Zverev finally shed that label on his 125th Grand Slam match win, setting a record for the most victories before clinching a first title.
Zverev's path to the championship included past disappointments, notably a two-sets-to-one lead he let slip against Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 final, and a serious ankle injury suffered during a match against Rafael Nadal in 2022 that sidelined him for six months. Reflecting on his journey, Zverev expressed, "This court is so special to me in so many ways. I had the best moments of my life on this court. I had the worst moment of my life on these courts."
Trailing two sets to one, Cobolli displayed determination, rallying the crowd's support with bold plays. Despite his fierce effort, including a stretch of four points won in a fourth-set tiebreak, he ultimately fell short in the face of Zverev's resilient final set.
Cobolli acknowledged Zverev's achievement, stating, "Alex, if someone asks me who deserves more this title, I always say you. It's been an honor to share the court with you today. I'm happy for you, but I'm also sad because I was close and I feel it."
Zverev now stands as a Grand Slam champion for the first time, marking a significant milestone in his career at 29 years old. His victory at Roland-Garros highlights a turnaround after previous losses, proving his perseverance has finally paid off.