Alexander Zverev won the biggest title of his career on Sunday in Paris, and he is more than happy to lose the other title he’s held for years now. In a gripping five-set final, high on drama, if not always on quality, Zverev overcame both his opponents: flashy Flavio Cobolli of Italy, and, more importantly, nerves and scar tissue to win the first major of his career. He now sheds the label that he himself admits to carrying, and is no longer the best player never to have won a major. In his fourth major final, he broke through, defeating Cobolli 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–7, 6–1, though it did not come easily or simply.
Playing the first top-20 opponent of his 2026 Roland Garros campaign, Zverev started with authoritative tennis, particularly on his backhand side, and looked to be cruising to the title. Cobolli then mounted a comeback, Zverev recovered, and Cobolli served for the fourth set and couldn’t close before winning in a tiebreaker. If you are dizzy from the undulating momentum, so are the fans, though it was undeniably entertaining. In the fifth set, Zverev regained momentum, steadied, and closed out the match, equally relieved and happy.
