Zverev finally claims Grand Slam title after five-set French Open thriller

Alexander Zverev finally claimed his maiden Grand Slam title on Sunday, overcoming Flavio Cobolli in a grueling five-set French Open final that lasted over four hours. The victory marks a significant milestone for the German, who had previously reached three Grand Slam finals without success, famously squandering a two-set lead in the 2020 US Open final and suffering a severe ankle injury during the 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinals.

The tournament path for Zverev, the world number three, was cleared by unexpected early exits from top contenders. World number one Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic were both eliminated before the later stages, leaving Zverev as the clear favorite to lift the trophy.

The final itself was a rollercoaster, characterized by moments of brilliant tennis interspersed with unforced errors from both players. Cobolli, experiencing his first Grand Slam final, showed early nerves, allowing Zverev to gain an advantage. However, the Italian rallied impressively, breaking back and taking the second set, turning the match into a tense contest that captivated the French crowd.

Adding a layer of controversy to Zverev's triumph, his matches have been subject to protests stemming from domestic violence allegations made by his former girlfriend in 2023. Although he denied the accusations, a German court imposed a fine, which Zverev appealed, ultimately settling for a €200,000 payment. Despite this, Zverev has achieved considerable success outside of Grand Slams, winning multiple Masters tournaments, the ATP Finals, and Olympic gold.