Alexander Zverev clinches maiden Grand Slam title at French Open 2026

Alexander Zverev (Pic: AFP)

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany enjoyed the biggest moment of his career on Sunday, securing his debut Grand Slam championship at Roland Garros. In a thrilling five-set marathon on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the German outlasted Italy's Flavio Cobolli with a scoreline of 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1.

The match, which lasted for over four hours and 20 minutes, served as a testament to Zverev's mental strength. Despite the frustration of dropping a tight fourth-set tie-break, the 29-year-old maintained his focus to sweep the final set. Upon sealing the win, an emotional Zverev collapsed onto the floor before sharing a moment at the net with his opponent.

This victory adds to Zverev's trophy cabinet, which already boasts an Olympic gold medal, seven ATP Masters 1000 titles, and two ATP Finals crowns. This win was especially sweet following a string of near-misses in previous Major finals, specifically his losses at the 2020 US Open, the 2024 French Open, and the 2025 Australian Open.

Entering the tournament as the second seed, Zverev found his way through a tricky draw, which saw top-seeded Jannik Sinner exit prematurely and Carlos Alcaraz forced out by injury. Throughout the tournament, Zverev remained dominant, dropping only two sets before the final.

Zverev becomes the first German to win French Open since 1937

By lifting the French Open, Zverev ended a 90-year wait for his nation, becoming the first German man to win the title since Henner Henkel in 1937. He joins the legendary Boris Becker and Michael Stich as the only German men to win a Major in the Open Era. Furthermore, he joins Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev as one of the few players born in the 1990s to have secured a Grand Slam title.

Following the French Open final, Zverev now holds a 3-1 head-to-head record over Cobolli. Their rivalry has intensified on the clay this season, with battles across Munich, Madrid, and now Paris. Sunday's French Open win has cemented Zverev's place among the tennis elites.

Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli leaves Paris with his head held high. Competing in his first-ever Major final after knocking out higher-ranked players like Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 24-year-old Italian is projected to break into the world's top 10 for the first time in his career.

(With ANI inputs)