Alexander Zverev overcomes nerves to win a grand slam at long last

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Alexander Zverev overcomes nerves to win a grand slam at long last
Alexander Zverev of Germany kisses the trophy after winning the men's final match against Flavio Cobolli of Italy
Alexander Zverev is the French Open champion – Christophe Ena/AP

In his fourth major final, Alexander Zverev can finally call himself a grand slam champion, holding his nerve to beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1.

Both men were their own worst enemies at times, as the unforced error count mounted. But it was the favourite who was finally able to celebrate, falling backwards onto the clay in tears that were prompted by a mixture of both joy and relief.

In 2024, when Zverev played his last Roland Garros final, his fortnight was overshadowed by a domestic violence trial that was discontinued the morning of the men’s semi-finals by a criminal court in Berlin.

This time around, he has been the standout favourite since Jannik Sinner was undone by a combination of illness and heat in the second round. Only a year ago, Zverev proclaimed that “didn’t want to be the best player in history without a grand slam” and on Sunday, he ensured he would not be.

The German had an ideal opportunity at the US Open in 2020 to win a first grand slam title, but blew a two-set lead against the injured Dominic Thiem. He then lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final in 2024, before being beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final last year.

Both Zverev and Cobolli noticeably tightened up in the fourth set, and started to play with more hesitation, often opting to keep the ball in play rather than going for winners, but it was the German who came out on top.

There was a moment just before the fourth set tie-break when it looked as though yet another opportunity to lift the trophy would slip away from his grasp and he had to call the trainer, armed with a jar of some concoction, onto the court.

But in the decider, however, it was Cobolli who started to feel the weight of the occasion, missing straightforward shots and continuing to miss first serves with alarming regularity. That was despite having the backing from the majority of the almost 15,000 crowd in Philippe-Chatrier.

Full report to come…


07:33pm

Zverev reacts

“Well, first of all, I want to congratulate Flavio. Unbelievable two weeks reaching a first Grand Slam final and playing this way in your first Grand Slam final is incredible. Not many people do that. Really, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you will hold one of these trophies very soon.

“I would really like to thank the crowd. This court is so special to me in so many ways. I have had the best moments of my life in this court and I have had the worst moment of my life on this court.

“I was laid in that corner four years ago with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones. I lost a Grand Slam final here two years ago. But now, finally, it is a happy ending.

“Thank you very much to the crowd. It has been a really felt like the crowd was pushing me throughout the entire two weeks. Without you guys, I would have definitely not won the tournament, so thank you very much.”

lexander Zverev of Germany (L) celebrates with the Coup de Mousquetaire
Zverev and Cobolli are close friends – Teresa Suarez/Shutterstock

07:27pm

Henman reacts

“He [Zverev] was carrying that baggage from early in the first week when so many of the big names were losing, and there were no other Grand Slam champions in the draw.

“This was his opportunity and this was his to lose. He got all the way through to the final. We talked about stats, the match up, game styles, and that fifth set had absolutely nothing to do with that, it was about hunger and desire and the will to win.

“For him to get over the finish line to get to be a Grand Slam champion, you could see and hear the relief in his voice. A phenomenal achievement.

“He had so much stress for so many years, and let’s be honest about the last hour-and-a-half of that match; he looked absolutely exhausted. 

“He had a salt sweat stain around his shirt; his feet stopped working; he stopped being aggressive.

“That was purely the tension of the situation. When he lost that fourth set tiebreak, you were thinking who would muster something up, and now he can enjoy the fruits of his labour not just of today, but for his whole life.”


07:22pm

What is means to be a grand slam champion


07:21pm

Cobolli reacts

“It’s not easy for me to talk right now but I want to start with Alexander. If someone asks me who deserved this title, I always said you.

“It’s been an honour to share the court with you today. I’m happy for you but also sad because I was close and I feel it.

“Now you’ve achieved your dream, let me win the next time.”


07:09pm

Zverev has put himself in an elite group


07:04pm

Long wait for Germany is over

Alexander Zverev is the first German man to win a Grand Slam since Boris Becker in 1996.

Thirty years is a long time!


06:59pm

Delight for Zverev

Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates with his team after winning the final against Italy's Flavio Cobolli
Zverev celebrates with his team after winning the final – Benoit Tessier/Reuters

06:52pm

The winning moment for Zverev


06:47pm

Tears for Zverev

The German is overcome with emotion as he collapses to the red clay with his hands on his head. After three final defeats, he has finally got over the line.


06:45pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 Cobolli*

Cobolli starts the game with a drop shot into the net. Then his backhand down the line drifts wide into the tramlines. Zverev is two points away now.

Cobolli double fault. Oh dear. Zverev with three championship points. Cobolli manages to save the first. 

Cobolli overhead long!!!! ZVEREV IS THE FRENCH OPEN CHAMPION!!


06:42pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 5-1 Cobolli

Life feels a lot more secure for Zverev when he gets his first serve in play. It is what helped him dominate the opening set and it is seeing him through any threat from Cobolli in this game.

Zverev holds to 15 and is now a game away from the French Open title.

Zverev is on top in the final set in Paris
Zverev is on top in the final set in Paris – Benoit Tessier/Reuters

06:37pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 4-1 Cobolli*

Cobolli finally gets on the board with a service hold to love. Can he do the improbable break Zverev’s serve twice?


06:34pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 4-0 Cobolli

Win this game and and it’s Zverev’s title, I reckon. It’s been going on for four hours now and both look tired, some thing that might explain a poor backhand into the net from the German. That earns Cobolli a 15-30 lead and that soon becomes 15-40. Two break points for the Italian. Can he make them count? He cannot, and in dramatic fashion too. The pair traded blows at the net before Cobolli lobs Zverev who does well to keep the point alive. And just when you think the game is there for the taking, at 30-40, the Italian fires a forehand smash into the net. Cobolli earns another break point straight after but a successful forehand smash from the German gets it back to deuce. All for games this set have featured break points – a sign of tension or tiredness, or, possibly, both? 

From here, however, Zverev holds his nerve and, importantly, serve, to take a 4-0 lead. He is now two games away from Roland Garros glory. 


06:25pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 3-0 Cobolli*

Zverev has looked steady on his legs so far this set and here he again moves well, trading volleys at the net in between long, energy-sapping baseline battles. The German has 30-15 lead when Cobolli’s backhand lets him down, sending one long to gift Zverev two break points. The first is saved thanks to an exquisite drop volley, but Cobolli cannot save the second and this is now the German’s title to lose.


06:20pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 2-0 Cobolli

Can Zverev hold serve from here? It sounds simple but in the heat of a one-set shootout anything can happen. Cobolli earns a 0-30 lead before the German steadies the ship at 30-30. The pair then trade backhands for what seems like an eternity before Zverev errs, sending one long and it’s Cobolli with the chance to break immediately back. Can he hold his nerve? Nope, is the long and short of it, a volley is too short and the ball sits up nicely for Zverev to hit a backhand winner. At deuce the German send another big backhand to get him to advantage and from there he makes no mistake. The favourite now has a 2-0 lead in the crucial final set. That was a big hold. 


06:12pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 Cobolli*

After three hours and 37 minutes it’s the start of the final set. It’s Cobolli to serve and at 15-30 down it looks as though the tension might be getting to the Italian. If that is the case that will have only increased after Zverev plays a lovely volley on the run to earn two break points. The legs of the German seemed fine there. Cobolli wins the next two points to get it to deuce. But after two long baseline rallies he hits two long forehands and it’s the Italian who blinks first. Advantage Zverev. 


06:03pm

Big shot at a huge moment

Cobolli just won’t go away. It’s now a one-set shootout and Zverev is looking tired. 

Cobolli's forehand winner to take the fourth set was a moment to savour
Cobolli’s forehand winner to take the fourth set was a moment to savour – Mustafa Yalcin/Getty Images

05:59pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7) Cobolli – TIEBREAK

Huge forehand by Cobolli is too hot for Zverev, 3-4. Zverev double fault, 3-5. Cobolli forehand into the tramlines, 4-5.

Cobolli drop shot winner, 4-6. Two set points.

Oh my word. Cobolli completely shanks an easy overhead smash wide, 5-6. The set was in his hand right there!!

Cobolli forehand down the line FOR A WINNER!!! Cobolli takes it, 5-7.


05:53pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-6 (3-3) Cobolli – TIEBREAK

Exceptional defence by Cobolli to keep himself in the point and he finishes the point with a cross-court backhand winner, 0-1. Cobolli backhand into the net, 1-1. Another enthralling rally, Zverev drop shot, Cobolli chases after it but his forehand comes off the net cord and flies long, 2-1. 

Cobolli does not do enough with his drop shot, Zverev gets there and flicks a forehand down the line, which proves too much for the Italian, 3-1. Defensive Zverev backhand goes long, 3-2. 

Timely Cobolli first serve and Zverev’s return goes wide, 3-3.


05:46pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-6 Cobolli*

Zverev is a game away from becoming a grand slam champion. Cobolli will have other ideas.

Zverev had a massage for cramp during the break and Cobolli will know that if he can force a fifth set, he has an opponent who is struggling physically.

Cobolli does what he needs to do and holds to love. Tiebreak time!!!


05:43pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-5 Cobolli

All of a sudden, Zverev has come alive and now Cobolli’s level has dropped. An ace from Zverev to finish and he receives a visit from the tournament trainer…


05:39pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 5-5 Cobolli*

Anxiety-riddled opening point ends with Cobolli putting a backhand into the net. Zverev then drills a forehand winner down the line to move to 0-30.

Some suggestions Zverev may have an issue with his legs. Cramping? An injury? He looks in discomfort.

Nevertheless, Cobolli fights back to level at 30-30. But then Zverev runs around his forehand and crushes a forehand winner down the line. Break point, 30-40.

Oh my goodness, Zverev drills a stunning backhand down the line winner to break.

A bit of controversy right after that winner as he marches to the side and receives medication from Marcelo Melo, a member of his team. Never seen that before. Very strange.


05:31pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 4-5 Cobolli

Zverev does what he needs to do and holds. Cobolli will serve for the set next!


05:28pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 3-5 Cobolli*

As we approach the three-hour mark for this match, Cobolli gets to 40-30 on his serve when Zverev hits a backhand long. But he fails to put away a smash and on the second attempt frames it high and long. To deuce.

Cobolli keeps his cool and slides into a forehand volley and angles it away for a winner. He is a game away from taking us to a fifth set.


05:21pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 3-4 Cobolli

Back comes Cobolli. He earns two chances to break back after a forehand rocket down the line.

Great first serve by Zverev and he attacks the net to finish with a volley but inexplicably dumps the ball into the net. Cobolli breaks again.

Nerves have consumed the players. How many more twists and turns will we get?


05:16pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 3-3 Cobolli*

Great rally, both players forced to turn offense into defence and back again before Cobolli goes long with a forehand, 0-30. 

Miscued forehand by Cobolli and it is three break points for Zverev. Cobolli saves the first, then the second with a fine first serve. He asks for the same ball again and gets it.

And it works for him as Zverev sends a forehand long. Two bad forehand misses by Zverev prove costly. Back to deuce.

Zverev gets a fourth chance when Cobolli drops a forehand into the tramlines. Tame backhand into the net by Cobolli and he gifts the break to Zverev.


05:10pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 2-3 Cobolli

Everything is a bit of a struggle for Zverev in this game and Cobolli senses a chance to break but can’t get a break point.

This hasn’t been the highest-quality match but the tension is so high right now.

Flavio Cobolli of Italy celebrates a point against Alexander Zverev
Cobolli broke serve early in the fourth set – Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

05:05pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 1-3 Cobolli*

Jim Courier on TNT Sports is damning towards Zverev after a poor shot is pounced on by Cobolli and finished with a backhand down the line. He says he ‘choked” with that shot and questioned his mental state. Oooof. 

Cobolli holds his serve again.


05:02pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 1-2 Cobolli

Normal service resumes for Zverev as he holds to love.


05:00pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 0-2 Cobolli*

Great composure from Cobolli to consolidate the break and his confidence looks to be back again. Work to do for Zverev again.


04:54pm

Fourth Set: Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 0-1 Cobolli

Just when you might think Zverev will take charge of the match, he finds himself down 15-40 after a couple of errors and a double fault. A backhand into the tramlines by Zverev and Cobolli breaks.

Back-to-back strange service games we’ve had.


04:48pm

Cobolli will rue his collapse

That game could well haunt Cobolli long after the match was finished. It was the first break point he had faced since the fourth game of the third set, and he fired a forehand wide on the most crucial point of all.


04:45pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 Cobolli*

Tense moments here as the game moves to 30-30 when Cobolli nets a forehand. Another forehand into the net and it is a set point for Zverev…

Cobolli forehand wide. An unbelievable collapse at a critical time. Zverev breaks and takes the third set.


04:40pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 5-4 Cobolli

We’re into the business end of the set now. A break for either player could decide the set. Zverev makes sure there is no threat on his serve as he moves to 40-0.

Cobolli keeps himself in the game with another forehand return winner down the line. But Zverev hangs on after a stunning drop shot proves too much for Cobolli.

Huge pressure now on Cobolli to hold serve and keep this set alive.


04:36pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 4-4 Cobolli*

Nice play from Cobolli as he punishes a passive return by Zverev and finishes the point with a volley winner. He goes one better to finish the game, leaping into the air and crushing a forehand down the line.


04:31pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 4-3 Cobolli

Beautiful backhand combo from Zverev. He drives it down the line and finishes with a drive backhand into the open court, 15-0.

Zverev wide serve, short return by Cobolli and the German finishes with a backhand winner down the line to hold.


04:28pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 3-3 Cobolli*

Zverev is struggling to make any inroads on the Cobolli serve. His return game has gone AWOL and that allows Cobolli to ease through and hold.


04:23pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 3-2 Cobolli

Another comfortable service game for Zverev but he still doesn’t look as confident as he did in the first set. He knows it is going to be a battle to the finish here. Cobolli is not going away.

Alexander Zverev of Germany during his Men's final match against Flavio Cobolli
Zverev slides into a forehand – Yoan Valat/Shutterstock

04:18pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 2-2 Cobolli*

Wild forehand by Cobolli doesn’t even land in the tramlines, 0-30. Cobolli gets a look at a pass but his backhand drops just wide, two break points for Zverev.

Cobolli saves the first. Brave play by Cobolli to serve and volley but it works and he finishes with a winner. Deuce. 

And he comes through that danger to keep his serve again.


04:12pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 2-1 Cobolli

Service hold to 15 for Zverev and he marches confidently to his chair. The match has calmed down after the drama of the second set.


04:08pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6, 1-1 Cobolli*

The energy and attitude is much better from Cobolli. He must sense the nerves and pressure that Zverev will be feeling. Cobolli holds to 30.


04:06pm

Third set: Zverev* 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 Cobolli

Zverev resets himself and is back to his commanding best on serve. He hold serve to 15 to start the set.


04:01pm

Cobolli hits back

When Zverev faltered, Cobolli struck. There was one game in the middle of the set where Cobolli had his first break point, and then Zverev missed multiple chances to hold.

Cobolli has got himself back in this match.


03:59pm

Zverev 6-1, 4-6 Cobolli*

Not an ideal start for Cobolli as he shanks a forehand wide, 0-15. Ace from Cobolli makes it 30-15 and he asks for the same ball again.

Cobolli drills a backhand down the line, Zverev gets there but slices a defensive forehand into the net. Two break points.

Zverev backhand into the net and Cobolli wins the set. Great comeback by the Italian.


03:55pm

Zverev* 6-1, 4-5 Cobolli

Zverev is leaving the ball short and Cobolli is capitalising repeatedly at the moment. Drilling forehand winners into the corner and Zverev’s level has fallen off a cliff here.

Confident overhead smash winner by Zverev, 40-30. Stunning forehand return winner down the line by Cobolli, deuce. Zverev never saw it.

Deja vu as Cobolli drills a backhand return winner down the line to make it deuce again. Cobolli gets Zverev on the back foot and earns a short ball. He opts for a drop shot but nets. Big miss. Zverev let off the hook.

But Zverev still can’t get out of the game as he puts a forehand into the tramlines. Zverev eventually comes through and holds. Pressure is now on Cobolli as he gets ready to serve for the set.


03:44pm

Zverev 6-1, 3-5 Cobolli*

Vital that Cobolli consolidates the break here to give himself a chance of serving for the set. Zverev is looking flustered all of a sudden, with the crowd clearly with his opponent, who has come alive.

Cobolli overhead smash winner to hold. The match is well and truly on now.


03:39pm

Zverev* 6-1, 3-4 Cobolli

A Cobolli backhand winner down the line makes it 30-30. This is the closest he’s been all match. Zverev unforced error and Cobolli has his first break point.

Point of the match and the longest. 23 shots, Zverev is pushing as hard as he can, Cobolli is defending as much as he can but Zverev eventually gets the job done to save it.

Gorgeous drop shot winner from Cobolli. Nerves are showing for Zverev now. First double fault of the match gives Cobolli after break point chance.

Wild forehand by Zverev into the tramlines and the Italian finally does it. Cobolli breaks.


03:28pm

Zverev 6-1, 3-3 Cobolli*

That is special from Zverev. He drills an exquisite backhand down the line over the highest part of the net, 40-30. Cobolli never saw it.

But after 20 minutes in this set, Cobolli holds again. This has been much more competitive.


03:23pm

Zverev* 6-1, 3-2 Cobolli

Another love hold for Zverev. Any crowd favouritism towards Cobolli is not distracting him.


03:21pm

Zverev 6-1, 2-2 Cobolli*

Starting to see the best of Cobolli and it feels like he has arrived now. A clinical overhead smash and he orchestrates the crowd to cheer him some more.

The fans want to see a battle here.

Every game won by Cobolli is cheered to the rafters of Philippe-Chatrier; it is clear who has won over the crowd so far. Although that might be because they want a longer match than the one they thought they might get after the first set.


03:17pm

Zverev* 6-1, 2-1 Cobolli

In answer to my question in the previous post, Cobollit is unable to do anything on the Zverev serve as the German holds to love.

Flavio Cobolli of Italy plays a backhand against Alexander Zverev
Cobolli plays a backhand against Zverev – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

03:13pm

Zverev 6-1, 1-1 Cobolli*

Must win game for Cobolli to establish a foothold in the match. A few signs of his quality here as he goes on the attack and gets some rewards. An ace to finish and the Italian gets a huge cheer from the crowd.

Can he finally make an impact on the Zverev serve?


03:09pm

Second set: Zverev* 6-1, 1-0 Cobolli

It has been a serving masterclass from Zverev. He has upped the power, averaging 134 mph on his first serve. That is 5mph quicker than he has through the tournament.

He is dragging Cobolli all over the court and eases to another service hold.


03:04pm

Zverev 6-1 Cobolli*

Cobolli dumps a forehand volley into the net, summing up his performance so far. Then Zverev gets a slice of luck when his backhand clips the net cord and drops on Cobolli’s side of the net, 15-30.

Backhand from Cobolli drops in the tramlines and Zverev has his first set point. Cobolli leaves a forehand in the middle of the court, Zverev steps in and crushes a cross court forehand winner into the court.

Top display by Zverev but he has been in this position before…


02:59pm

Zverev* 5-1 Cobolli

Unsurprisingly, plenty of big names are here for the final, including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

On the court, Zverev consolidates the break and strides back to the baseline in preparation to return serve. All business from the German.

Germany's Alexander Zverev in action during the final
Zverev in action during the final – Benoit Tessier/Reuters

02:55pm

Cobolli being punished

This is racing away from Cobolli a bit. He hasn’t made too many mistakes but Zverev has been almost impossible to face on his serve, and punishing any mistake made by the Italian.


02:54pm

Zverev 4-1 Cobolli*

Cobolli is being forced to go for the spectacular just to hang with Zverev and it is not working. Another wild backhand from Cobolli and he looks up to his team in the stands forlornly.

Two break points for Zverev. Cobolli can’t break through Zverev’s defences and tries a drop shot but gets it all wrong. Zverev breaks again.


02:49pm

Zverev* 3-1 Cobolli

Zverev is full control at the moment. He is dictating from the baseline, finding his spots with ease, showing good patience and rally management.


02:43pm

Zverev 2-1 Cobolli*

First grand slam final nerves are to be expected for Cobolli but he needs to win this game and settle into the match.

His forehand duly comes to the party and helps him to hold to 15. 


02:40pm

Zverev* 2-0 Cobolli

No such drama for Zverev as he holds to love serenely.


02:37pm

First Set: Alexander Zverev 1-0 Flavio Cobolli* (*denotes server)

Zverev’s choice to make Cobolli serve appears to be having an impact on the Italian, who sends a backhand long and hits a double fault on the opening points. He strikes a forehand long and is already facing two break points at 15-40.

Cobolli saves the first and then the second after a tense rally ends with Zverev dumping a backhand into the net. Back to deuce.

Proper test of Cobolli’s nerves as Zverev refuses to give up on this game and he earns his third break point after seven minutes.

Great serve by Cobolli to see off the danger but on the next point he doesn’t do enough with a drop shot, Zverev capitalises and finishes the rally with an overhead winner. Fourth break point…

Deep return by Zverev to the baseline and Cobolli frames a forehand high and wide. Zverev breaks.

Germany's Alexander Zverev (L) and Italy's Flavio Cobolli pose for a picture
Zverev (left) and Cobolli pose for a pre-match picture – Dimitar Dilkoff/Getty Images

02:24pm

Here we go!

Way past the scheduled 2pm start, the players finally arrive on court for the final.

In terms of fan support, I’d say Cobolli got a little more from the spectators. At the coin toss, Zverev puts Cobolli into to serve first.

A bit of mind games there. He clearly wants to put pressure on the Italian.


02:21pm

Can Zverev finally win a grand slam?

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany pose for a photo
Zverev was beaten by Alcaraz in the 2024 final – Dan Istitene/Getty Images

02:11pm

Henman on TNT Sports

“Cobolli has got that happy-go-lucky appearance and mindset and he’s always having fun. Winning or losing, he’s playing with that flair and passion and that’s been clear in his run through this tournament.

“He is out there playing the best tennis of his life and enjoying every step of the way.”


02:05pm

Italian blue in Paris

There is no mistaking Flavio Cobolli’s box, they are all decked out in Italian blue.

There are a few German flags dotted around as well, but so far I have seen more Italian ones. Although all credit does go to a woman in a German flag-coloured Lei-style necklace draped around her neck.

The contemporary dance section before today’s final involves pom poms in orange and white, with the outfits inspired by the clay.

Yesterday’s final was green and white, no pompons and in the same colours as the sponsors.


02:00pm

Zverev on Cobolli

“I look forward to playing him in the final. Of course, it’s his first final, so I’m happy for him that he reached ​it.

“He’s a great player and a great guy. I like him. I like his dad a lot. Two very good people, just generally.

“We got closer at the Laver Cup in 2024 in Berlin … he’s just a nice person. He has a good heart. He’s extremely funny if you get to know him.”

lavio Cobolli of Team Europe celebrates with Alexander Zverev
Cobolli and Zverev played together for Team Europe in the Laver Cup – Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

01:53pm

Meanwhile, at Queen’s, Serena Williams prepares for her return


01:43pm

Cobolli to be well supported

Walking around the outside of Philippe-Chatrier and everyone is gearing up for the main event.

I’ve just passed an entire family with Italy flags on their T-shirts; they might have been expecting a different Italian when they bought the tickets, but no doubt who they’ll be cheering for.


01:35pm

Cobolli’s weird road to the final

The Italian 10th seed made it through to today’s final without having to play a semi-final after Matteo Arnaldi pulled out shortly before Friday’s scheduled contest because of illness.

Cobolli, who will break into the top 10 for the first time next week, can take confidence from beating Zverev in Munich last month and insists he will be ready despite the unexpected day off.

“Maybe to have almost four days off is a lot, you lose the rhythm,” he said.

“I think I will be ready, for sure, but I also know I will be fresh. Maybe it helped, maybe not. I’ll tell you after the final.”

Flavio Cobolli of Italy reacts during a training session
Flavio Cobolli is the underdog going into the final – James Fearn/Getty Images

01:22pm

Final preparations being made by the players


01:10pm

There will be a first-time grand slam winner today

Hello and welcome to coverage of the French Open men’s final between Alexander Zverev and Flavio Cobolli.

Whatever happens in a few hours, we are guaranteed to have a first time grand slam winner but the pressure is certainly on Zverev to win a maiden major.

It’s the fourth major final of Zverev’s career and it’s a unique opportunity for the German without Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz across the net.

Zverev has been an overwhelming favorite for the title ever since the Sinner struggled in the first week’s heat wave and wasted a two set and 5-1 lead to crash out against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. A day later, 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic was also eliminated. While Alcaraz, the two-time reigning champion, withdrew before the tournament with an injured right wrist.

It’s Zverev’s second French Open final, having wasted a lead of two sets to one against Alcaraz in the 2024 final.

Zverev had an even bigger advantage – two sets to none – in the 2020 US Open final and lost to Dominic Thiem. He was also beaten in straight sets by Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final.

Cobolli had never been past a Grand Slam quarter-final until this week. He’s attempting to become the first Italian man to raise the singles trophy at Roland Garros since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago.

Cobolli comes from the same tennis club in Rome as Panatta and Panatta has been asked by tournament organisers to present the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy to the champion to celebrate the anniversary of his 1976 triumph.

Both players have dropped only two sets en route to the final. Zverev has won three of his four career meetings with Cobolli, including a straight-sets victory in the third round in Paris a year ago. But they’ve also split two encounters on clay this season: Cobolli won in straight sets in Munich and Zverev won in straight sets in Madrid.

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