Alexander Zverev won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
In a thrilling and fitting end to one of the strangest major tournaments we’ve seen, Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1, in the final.
How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?
What a final!
Zverev looked to be in trouble late in the fourth set, cramping up, before Cobolli won an intense tiebreak.
Persevering, Zverev comfortably won the fifth set, but is he a deserving Grand Slam champion?
Fabio Fognini says Alexander Zverev deserved to win the French Open
Appearing as a guest on ‘The Final by Hesperide‘, former world number nine Fabio Fognini delivered his verdict on the French Open final.
“I think it was a great final,” said Fognini.
“As they said in the ceremony, the one who deserved it was Sascha, finally, he is a Grand Slam champion.
Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam performance timeline (2020-present)
| Grand Slam | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Australian Open | SF | QF | 4R | 2R | SF | F | SF |
| French Open | 4R | SF | SF | SF | F | QF | W |
| Wimbledon | – | 4R | – | 3R | 4R | 1R | – |
| US Open | F | SF | – | QF | QF | 3R | – |
“We are a bit sad about Flavio [Cobolli] because he put everything on court, and he lost in five sets, but hopefully, he will have another chance to get in a Grand Slam final.”
Fognini continued, reflecting on Zverev’s journey to Grand Slam success.
“As I said before, Sascha deserves it,” he said.
“After losing one final against [Jannik] Sinner, the other one, I don’t remember? With Dominic [Thiem]! He had so many chances! He was serving for the match, I think.
Alexander Zverev’s record in Grand Slam finals (1-3)
- 2020 US Open [LOSS] vs Dominic Thiem, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-7
- 2024 French Open [LOSS] vs Carlos Alcaraz, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 1-6, 2-6
- 2025 Australian Open [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-7, 3-6
- 2026 French Open [WIN] vs Flavio Cobolli, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1
“As I said, he deserved it, congrats, Sascha.
“I’m happy for him, because I played against him and I only won once, so well done to you and your team.”
Offering an Italian’s perspective, Fognini commented on Cobolli’s performance in the final.
“The beginning was so, so. 6-1, a bit fast, tight, a bit of tension,” he said.
“Then, he started to play differently in the second and third set, but then, I think it was key, 5-4, in the third set, he broke himself, let’s say. It was ok, also in the tiebreak I think he was three down and he won 7-5, it was a great final, unlucky.
“I think the mind starts thinking a little bit differently, the body, for sure, after 14 days, is tired. I think Sascha had more experience; he played two [three] finals. Everything was new for Flavio.”
Fognini hoped Cobolli would win the final, but he leaves Paris pleased with the progress made by Italians.
“I think now is the best time, after girls, before it was girls, now it is men,” said Fognini.
“From behind I am really happy, because everything is about [Jannik] Sinner, because he is number one in the world, winning so many majors and all Masters 1000s.
“It’s different now that we have two different names in the semi-finals, [Matteo] Arnaldi and Cobolli; we have Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-finals again, so from my side, it’s really nice to see them play on this big stage.”
Italy had three representatives in the French Open men’s singles quarter-finals: Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi, and Matteo Berrettini.
With Jannik Sinner back in the picture at Wimbledon, there is every chance we see an Italian man lift a Grand Slam men’s singles title before the end of the year.
Who else deserves to win a Grand Slam?
Zverev was probably the best player on tour without a Grand Slam title to his name, but who else is deserving of a major win?
The first name that comes to mind is Casper Ruud, who has lost three Grand Slam finals.
Ruud would be a popular winner, no doubt, but he hasn’t quite shown the level required to compete for majors recently.
Who is now the best active ATP player without a Grand Slam title after Alexander Zverev’s French Open victory?
The American duo Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton are also worth mentioning.
Fritz is a former Grand Slam finalist, and Shelton usually plays his best tennis at the majors.
The likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, and Lorenzo Musetti have all shown signs of promise, too, and it would be a shame to see them retire without winning a Grand Slam.
But the reality is that winning a major is difficult, and that’s why so few players have managed to do it.
Before Zverev won in Paris, Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner had shared the last nine Grand Slams, dominating the events.
When they return to form, it might be curtains for anyone looking to sneak in and win a major.
