Alexander Zverev finally got his hands on the silverware that had eluded him throughout his career. On Sunday, in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Court Philippe-Chatrier, the World No. 3 German emerged triumphant against a resilient Flavio Cobolli to be crowned as the 2026 French Open champion.
The experienced German carved his name in history with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 win in a five-set, nerve-jangling final. As Zverev collapsed on the clay, overwhelmed with emotions, basking in the elusive glory, the world was left split by the outcome.
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While one section was in awe of Zverev’s success, the other half declared it a ‘dark’ day in the history of tennis. Fans pointed out the assault allegations levied against Alexander Zverev. Amidst the split reaction, Serbian maestro Novak Djokovic penned a heartfelt note for the latest Roland Garros winner.
A day after the final, Djokovic lavished praise on Zverev, who has fought a lifelong battle with Type 1 diabetes since the age of four, in his evocative note. For the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Zverev’s win became more special considering he shut down his critics who never entertained the idea of the German becoming a Grand Slam winner. A close and respectful friendship that began when Zverev was a 10-year-old boy, Djokovic was engulfed by the memories they had shared.
“Sasha, I have known you since you were 10 years old. You were battling on the practice courts with my youngest brother while I was competing against your older brother, Mischa, on the big stage in both junior and pro circuit. I’ve nurtured a respectful and friendly relationship with your entire family for many years. We had countless conversations on tennis tactics, strategic plays, life, family, business. We had fun time on and off the court. Knowing what you had to endure with your illness since the young age, overcoming the greatest mental hurdle within yourself and shutting down critics who thought you would never win GS, makes this Grand Slam win even more special and memorable,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.
“Seeing the tears of joy you had together with your parents, brother and other team members made me emotional. I’m happy that you made it and you absolutely deserve this success because you have worked so hard on every front to make it happen. Enjoy it and well done brother,” he concluded.
After crossing the gateway of success, Alexander Zverev became the first German since Henner Henkel in 1937 to lift the title in the French capital. After ending the 89-year drought, Zverev became just the third German, after Boris Becker and Michael Stich in the Open Era, to win a major title since 1968.
Alexander Zverev reveals his true emotions after winning his first Grand Slam
With the Roland Garros championship in his hands, Alexander Zverev got the monkey off his shoulder and dropped the bottler tag often associated with him. While addressing the press, he opened his heart and tried to put the feeling into words of winning his maiden Grand Slam.
For him, it was lifting a mental burden that he had carried for a long time. Zverev had walked into the stadium with a 0-3 Grand Slam final record. According to him, if he had lost the title to Cobolli, his self-belief would have been shattered.
“Now no matter what happens, I will always be a Grand Slam Champion. Nobody can take that away from me. Maybe that does give me some freedom. Maybe my mind will just be a little bit calmer when I play a final. Meaning that even if I lose it, I’ll still be a grand slam champion. This trophy for me is very important. If I would’ve lost this one, the self belief would’ve gone down a lot. But now that I’ve won it, I feel like I can do it again,” Alexander Zverev said.
After opening his Grand Slam account, Alexander Zverev will have the opportunity to make it two at the upcoming Wimbledon, scheduled to commence later this month.
Edited by Shyam Kamal
