Boris Becker has reacted after Alexander Zverev won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
Becker had backed Zverev to win Roland Garros after Jannik Sinner suffered a shock early defeat in the tournament.
The world number three has now fulfilled his dream, with Zverev beating Flavio Cobolli to become the first German man to win a major title since Becker at the 1996 Australian Open.
Becker has now reacted after Zverev brought an end to Germany’s 30-year drought without a men’s singles major champion.
Boris Becker says he is ‘very proud’ after Alexander Zverev wins Roland Garros
Becker has played a big role in Zverev’s career, but the pair have sometimes had a fractious relationship after some public fallouts.
This all appears to be in the past now, as Becker expressed how proud he was of his compatriot after his victory in the Roland Garros final.
“The images speak for themselves. A lifelong dream has come true,” Becker told TNT Sports. “He can hardly believe what has just happened. He – and his entire family – have worked so long and so hard for this moment.
“If there is one player at the very top of the rankings who truly deserves this after years of hard work, of despair, of disappointment — it’s him. He has more than earned it. And to achieve all of this while living with diabetes — that should hardly be possible. It’s incredible. I’m very proud of him.
“He was under a great deal of pressure and, as he himself admitted, he had felt like a loser up to now. He changed that today.
“He has turned the page. He is a Grand Slam champion. He showed everyone what he’s capable of today. My greatest admiration. He is now part of a very special club — and it feels damn good.”
How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?
What a final!
Becker was then asked more specifically about Zverev becoming the first German man to win a major singles title since him in 1996.
“It was about time, ” responded Becker. “In the women’s game, we had Angie Kerber — now the right man has won.
“He’s been the best performer at Roland-Garros in recent years. He reached the final against [Carlos] Alcaraz — a match he could have won.
“Then there was that dreadful accident against [Rafael] Nadal four years ago. He was on the verge of becoming permanently unfit to compete. It took a long time for him to get back to full fitness. That he has won today — I’m wholeheartedly delighted for him.”
Who is now the best active ATP player without a Grand Slam title after Alexander Zverev’s French Open victory?
What was Boris Becker’s best ever result at Roland Garros?
Although Becker is a six-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, he actually never won a title at Roland Garros.
Becker won every major tournament other than Roland Garros, and he actually never won a singles title on clay in his career.
The 58-year-old achieved his best results at Roland Garros in 1987, 1989 and 1991, all when Becker reached the semi-finals.
Becker came closest to reaching the Roland Garros final in 1989, when he was beaten in the semi-finals by Stefan Edberg in five sets.
As a result, Zverev is also the first German man to win a Roland Garros singles title since Henner Henkel in 1937.
