Alexander Zverev has said winning his first Grand Slam title at the French Open could open the door to more major triumphs, after years of near-misses on tennis’s biggest stages.
The German secured his breakthrough victory at Roland Garros on Sunday, defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 in a gripping five-set final that lasted over four hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The win marks Zverev’s first Grand Slam title after previous defeats in the 2020 US Open final, the 2024 French Open final, and the 2025 Australian Open final, earning him a reputation as one of the best players yet to lift a major trophy.
Now 29, Zverev joked that while some may jokingly label him “the worst player to win a Grand Slam,” he is unfazed by criticism.
“Now no matter what happens, I will always be a Grand Slam champion, and nobody can take that away from me,” he said after the match.
He admitted to being overwhelmed with emotion after the victory, adding: “To be honest, I’m a little bit drunk already, so I just repeat myself a little bit more than I’m used to. I’m just happy to be sitting next to this trophy.”
The Olympic gold medallist said finally winning a major would ease the psychological pressure he had carried into previous finals.
“For sure this trophy helps the belief a lot. That does give me some freedom,” he said. “Even if I lose another final, I will still be a Grand Slam champion.”
Zverev added that losing this final would have had a damaging effect on his confidence, making the victory even more significant for his career trajectory.
Despite his triumph, he admitted the pressure of expectation weighed heavily during the final against world number 14 Cobolli.
“I was just very tight today,” he said, noting that he had managed his earlier matches in the tournament more calmly.
Zverev also revealed he experienced “mental cramps” during the match, which he said ultimately helped him relax and play more freely in the decisive set.
“I started swinging more freely. I started hitting the ball a bit more aggressive,” he explained. “Because of the cramps, I couldn’t focus on being tight anymore. I had to let go.”
The German star believes the breakthrough win could mark the beginning of a more successful era in his career, as he aims to add more Grand Slam titles in the future.
