Alexander Zverev wins first Grand Slam title at French Open

World number 3 Alexander Zverev has finally claimed his first Grand Slam title at the age of 29, achieving a long-awaited victory at the French Open. This triumph at Roland Garros marks a significant milestone for the German player, who has consistently been a strong contender but often fell short in major finals.

Before this win, Zverev had not secured a title in 2026, despite reaching finals in Madrid and the semifinals of the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Munich. He had previously lost his first three Grand Slam finals. Notably, he is among a select group of players who have lost their first three major finals but eventually triumphed, following in the footsteps of players like Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, and Dominic Thiem.

Zverev's path to victory included notable performances, such as defeating Rafael Nadal before the quarterfinals two years prior, a rare feat against the 14-time French Open champion. His win also ends a streak of nine consecutive Grand Slam titles claimed by the duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, dating back to the 2024 Australian Open. Furthermore, Zverev becomes the first German man to win the French Open since the Open Era commenced in 1968, with previous German champions being Gottfried von Cramm and Henner Henkel in the 1930s.

Throughout the tournament, Zverev dropped only four sets. He reached the final without facing any Top 20 opponents, a rarity not seen since Rafael Nadal's victory in 2010. This marks the first time in 21 years that the French Open has crowned a first-time winner since Nadal's triumph over Puerta. The German player's 25th career title on the major circuit includes seven Masters 1000 titles, two ATP Finals victories, and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medal. At 29 years and 1 month, Zverev is the fifth-oldest player to win his maiden Grand Slam title in the Open Era.