Alexander Zverev clinched his first Grand Slam title on Sunday with victory over Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final.
Zverev cut an emotional figure after winning the title, seemingly on the verge of tears as he took in the applause from the crowd inside Court Philippe Chatrier.
The post-match ceremony was similarly moving, with Cobolli stating that Zverev deserved to win the tournament.
How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?
What a final!
With the Grand Slam burden now lifted from Zverev’s shoulders, could the German go on to win more major titles?
Emilio Nava, who recently partnered with electrolyte drinks company ‘Electrolit’, attempted to answer this question while speaking exclusively to Tennishead.
Emilio Nava suggests Alexander Zverev could adopt a new ‘mentality’ following his Roland Garros triumph
“He’s been trying for so long and he’s fallen short so many times, that this might be like a big release for him,” Nava, who recently won his seventh Challenger title in Germany, stated.
“He maybe might say, ‘Hey, look, I finally got it.’ Now I’m just going to maybe go for more.
“Maybe it opens up a whole new mentality-wise for him, which I think would be great for the sport to have an extra guy in with Carlos and Sinner that are just, you know, they’re amazing.
“I think that would be great for Zverev.
Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam finals
- 2020 US Open – Dominic Thiem defeated Zverev 2–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6
- 2024 Roland Garros – Carlos Alcaraz defeated Zverev 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–2
- 2025 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner defeated Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
- 2026 Roland Garros – Zverev beats Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 to claim his first Grand Slam title
Nava, a close friend of Ben Shelton’s on the ATP Tour, went on to describe the ‘chills’ he felt upon witnessing Zverev clinch the Roland Garros title on Sunday.
“I watched most of the match yesterday, but I made sure to tune in for the match point just to see how he would react.
“I mean, it gives you chills.
“Sporting events that happen like that are just they’re motivational, and I hope one day to feel that.”
For Zverev, Sunday’s triumph represents the greatest single moment of his tennis career – an experience that will remain at the forefront of his mind throughout the rest of his life.
It remains to be seen as to whether – as Nava suggested – the German can kick on and win more Grand Slam titles now that the weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
However, one thing is certain – Zverev is not going anywhere, and he will be a force on the ATP Tour for the foreseeable future.
Emilio Nava comments on the player prize money debate and a potential ‘boycott’
Early last month, many of the circuit’s best players issued a joint statement complaining about the prize money on offer at Roland Garros.
Specifically, players took issue with the prize money as a percentage of tournament revenue.
The group of players estimated that the prize money percentage on offer in Paris would be 15 per cent – seven per cent short of the 22 per cent players have requested.
Aryna Sabalenka later suggested that players could ‘boycott’ future Grand Slam events if the prize money issue remained unresolved.
A media protest then followed, with the likes of Sabalenka and Coco Gauff cutting short their Roland Garros pre-tournament press conferences.
As reported by The Guardian, the French Tennis Federation have since agreed to speak with players about their concerns regarding Grand Slam prize money.
Speaking to Tennishead, Emilio Nava offered his thoughts on the prize money debate.
“I think it says a lot that Sinner and Sabalenka said something about that,” the American world number 87 said. “I think that that almost says it all, to be honest.
“They’re fighting for the lower-ranked tennis players to be able to make a living from the sport, because I think it’s one of the biggest sports in the world and if we don’t make it motivating that… only the top 100 players make a real living from the sport. The player count might drop a little bit.
“I want that kid to go to the park and play tennis and maybe have a dream of winning a Grand Slam one day, and the reality is that not everyone wins a Grand Slam.
“But everyone wants to play tennis at a high level, and that high level is up to 200, 250, 300, 350 in the world.
“So if we can get more money to those players down there, I think I’m all for it because I was one of those players.
“I think almost every single player that’s in the top 100 is one of those players, and they would say the same. I would definitely do it the right way, but I’m all for helping the sport and helping the players.”
When asked if he would participate in a potential boycott of Grand Slam events, Nava added: “I want to support the players and if something were to happen, I think the conversations between the higher ups would have to happen.
“And if that trickles down to me where I’m 85, 86— I’d have to see where that goes, but I’m definitely with the players.
Who is now the best active ATP player without a Grand Slam title after Alexander Zverev’s French Open victory?
“And as of now, it’s just trying to focus on my tennis and trying to compete. You know, I got a match tomorrow. I’m not thinking about, you know, a bunch of things in the brain.
“So I’m just trying to compete and trying to have fun and trying to make the sport grow in any way possible.”
Emilio Nava discusses his new partnership with Electrolit
Nava recently partnered with sports drink company ‘Electrolit.’
The company, which offers ‘premium hydration’ electrolyte drinks and powders, is set to support Nava on the tennis court for the foreseeable future.
Explaining his decision to partner with Electrolit, Nava said: “It just made sense as a professional athlete trying to improve and be consistent every single week, because the schedule is so long, playing so many matches.
“I’m flying from country to country taking buses, and I needed something that was going to help with the high demand of the sport and Electrolit was that.
“It was a great opportunity and I took it at first sight.”
Electrolit offers a variety of flavours, including Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime, and Grape.
When asked for his favourite Electrolit flavour, Nava had one thought in his mind.
“I tried the Kiwi one in Madrid and it was unbelievable,” he said. “So I’m going to stay with that one for now.”
