Jimmy Connors has warning for Alexander Zverev after winning his first Grand Slam title, ‘I hope not’

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Alexander Zverev won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating Flavio Cobolli in the final.

After losing his first three major finals, Zverev finally picked up one of the sport’s four biggest trophies.

The German took advantage of an open draw to clinch the title, silencing some of his doubters in the process.

How many more Grand Slams does Alexander Zverev win now?

What a final!

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Tennis legend Jimmy Connors has now shared what he hopes Zverev won’t do after winning Roland Garros.

Jimmy Connors tells Alexander Zverev to take the rest of the year off if he is satisfied with winning Roland Garros

During the latest episode of ‘Advantage Connors‘, the former world number one was asked if he believes Zverev will live off his French Open win for the rest of the year.

“Then it would be better not to play,” said Connors.

“Just take the rest of the year off and say I won the French; I’ll see you at the Australian [Open].

“So I hope not.

“I hope he thinks that now I am a contender. I have made my mark now, I have won my Grand Slam now. I am on the record with these guys, these guys, and these guys. I don’t want to stay there. I want to go to the next level and start climbing the ladder.

ATP top 10 and their career achievements

“He has got the game, he has proven that.

“We have talked about that for I don’t know how many years now. I am glad we don’t have to talk about it anymore.”

Zverev is now one of just seven active players to have won a men’s singles Grand Slam title.

‘Active’ Grand Slam winners

• 1. Novak Djokovic – 24
• 2. Carlos Alcaraz – 7
• 3. Jannik Sinner – 4
• 4. Stan Wawrinka – 3
• T-5. Daniil Medvedev – 1
• T-5. Alexander Zverev – 1
• T-5. Marin Cilic – 1

He’s surpassed the career achievements of Marin Cilic, but likely still needs to reach world number one to jump Daniil Medvedev.

As Connors rightly mentioned, now is the time for Zverev to decide whether he is comfortable with being the fifth or sixth-best player, or if he wants to push on and become the best of his generation.

Connors was, however, keen to give credit to Zverev, having finally won his first Grand Slam.

“It’s a big thing for him to have the monkey off his back now, and it’ll be interesting to see if he just cuts loose and says, I am up there with you guys,” he said.

“He has almost proven it in the past.

“Finals, being two sets to one up, break in the fifth up. And he wasn’t able to close, but he closed this.

Alexander Zverev’s record in Grand Slam finals (1-3)

• 2020 US Open final [LOSS] vs Dominic Thiem, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-7
• 2024 French Open final [LOSS] vs Carlos Alcaraz, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 1-6, 2-6
• 2025 Australian Open final [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-7, 3-6
• 2026 French Open final [WIN] vs Flavio Cobolli, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1

“You have got to look back and respect him because he could have crumbled in a minute.

“I’m happy for him.”

Now a Grand Slam champion, Zverev will turn his attention to Wimbledon, where he could double his major tally.

Alexander Zverev has another golden opportunity at Wimbledon

Zverev has yet to reach the quarter-finals at the All England Club and lost in the first round 12 months ago.

But if he is ever going to lift the trophy on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, this might be his best chance.

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz will miss the tournament due to injury, and there are question marks over Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic heading into the event.

Sinner won’t play any warm-up events following his shock French Open exit, and it’s unlikely Djokovic will either.

If Zverev can find some form at Halle before Wimbledon, who knows what he can achieve?

With a Grand Slam title under his belt, perhaps he will be able to play with the freedom he has often lacked at the major tournaments.

The 2026 Wimbledon Championships begin on Monday, June 29.