Alexander Zverev finally ended his long wait for a Grand Slam singles title on Sunday, defeating Italy's Flavio Cobolli in a five-set final at Roland Garros. The 29-year-old German, seeded third, won 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–7(5), 6–1 in 3 hours 21 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Zverev, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, had lost three previous major finals: the 2020 US Open to Dominic Thiem after leading by two sets, the 2024 French Open to Carlos Alcaraz from two sets to one up, and the 2025 Australian Open in straight sets to Jannik Sinner. This victory, his fourth attempt, finally broke the pattern.
The draw had opened up significantly for Zverev. World No. 1 Sinner and two-time defending champion Alcaraz both withdrew before the tournament, while Novak Djokovic exited early. Cobolli, ranked 24th, reached his first Grand Slam final after compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from their semi-final with illness, giving the Italian a walkover.
Cobolli, 24, came from the same Roman club as Adriano Panatta, the last Italian man to win the singles title at Roland Garros in 1976. Tournament organisers had invited Panatta to present the Coupe des Mousquetaires on the 50th anniversary of his triumph. The Italian had dropped only two sets en route to the final, matching Zverev's record through the fortnight.
A Final of Momentum Swings
Zverev dominated the first set, breaking Cobolli twice. The Italian rebounded in the second, breaking Zverev's serve to level the match. The German regained control in the third, breaking at 4–5 to force a tiebreak in the fourth. Cobolli won the tiebreak 7–5, pushing the match to a deciding set.
In the fifth, Zverev broke early and consolidated both breaks, racing to a 6–1 victory. His serve remained decisive at crucial moments, and he finished with 18 aces and a 72% first-serve points won rate. Cobolli, despite a valiant effort, could not sustain the pressure.
The win makes Zverev the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open. It also adds to a strong season for German tennis, though the country faces broader challenges, including debates over internal border checks and energy imports.
On Saturday, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva won the women's singles title, beating qualifier Maja Chwalinska to become the youngest French Open champion in over three decades. That victory ensured both trophies went to first-time major winners.
Zverev's breakthrough comes amid a shifting landscape in men's tennis, with the traditional 'Big Three' of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer fading. The German's consistency on clay—he has now reached the final at Roland Garros twice—positions him as a leading contender for future majors.
