Alexander Zverev’s road to a Grand Slam title has never seemed more straightforward, and he seized the moment.
On Sunday, Zverev triumphed over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 at the French Open, marking his first victory in a Grand Slam after previously falling short in three major finals.
This win has been years in the making for Zverev, who came into the match boasting 24 titles on tour.
Though Cobolli challenged him and traded sets effectively, Zverev, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, took the critical opportunity when it presented itself. He started strong, breaking Cobolli twice and saving three break points to surge to a 4-0 lead in the first set.
Despite racking up nine double faults, Zverev managed to land 76 percent of his first serves during the final.
The men’s singles competition at Roland Garros was particularly open this year.
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to wrist tendonitis, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic were eliminated in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Interestingly, Zverev had not faced any opponents ranked in the ATP top 25 before reaching the final on Sunday. He defeated 26th seed Jakub Mencik from the Czech Republic in the semifinals, with the average ranking of his opponents being 57th, losing just four sets along the way.
During the final, Zverev, who has type 1 diabetes, needed an insulin injection while on the court. The fierce heat in Paris significantly impacted this year’s tournament, especially given Europe’s ongoing heat wave.
Sinner, known for struggling in hot conditions, had initially taken a two-set lead against Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo during this intense heat.
Zverev’s career has not been without controversy, facing multiple allegations of domestic violence, with the latest leading to a settlement with his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Patea, in June 2024. Another former partner accused him of physical and emotional abuse dating back to 2019.
He has denied these claims. The ATP conducted a lengthy 15-month investigation and concluded that there was “insufficient evidence” for any disciplinary measures.
