After two weeks filled with tension and unpredictability, one of the most tumultuous men’s grand slam tournaments culminated in an intense five-set showdown. Alexander Zverev, the second seed, secured his first grand slam title by overcoming personal challenges to defeat Flavio Cobolli with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the French Open final.
Zverev had previously excelled at various levels, including Masters 1000 tournaments and the ATP Finals, and he also earned an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 games. However, he had faced defeat in all three of his prior major finals, making this grand slam victory particularly significant.
After top seeds Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic exited the tournament in quick succession, with Carlos Alcaraz sidelined due to injury, Zverev emerged as the standout player in the draw. The only top-25 opponent he faced was Cobolli, ranked No. 14, making it crucial for the German to seize this opportunity.
“We’ve been through injuries. We’ve been through heartbreak. We’ve been through losses. We’ve been losers at times in the important moments. But at the end of the day, we’re grand slam champions now and that’s what counts.”
Zverev reflected to his team. A year after witnessing one of the most thrilling finals, where Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback against Sinner, this match occasionally devolved into a struggle, as nerves plagued both competitors, resulting in erratic play. Zverev exhibited signs of anxiety throughout the latter half of the match, grappling with his forehand and second serve while even experiencing cramps from the emotional strain. Cobolli, playing in his inaugural grand slam final, seemed to bear the weight of the moment even more heavily. Ultimately, Zverev relied on his serve and experience to triumph in the fifth set, achieving the victory he had long envisioned.
This court is so special to me in so many ways. I’ve had the best moments of my life on this court, I had the worst moment of my life on this court. I was laying in that corner over there with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones. I lost. A grand slam final here two years ago. But now, finally, it’s a happy end.
Zverev remains a well-liked figure among fans, and the Philippe-Chatrier crowd warmly welcomed his victory. However, his win has stirred discomfort among many fans due to accusations of domestic violence from two former partners, Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea, both of which he has consistently denied.
The latter accusation involving Patea, the mother of his child, led to a domestic violence case in Berlin that unfolded during the 2024 French Open, where Zverev reached his second grand slam final. The two parties ultimately settled the matter out of court. During the trophy presentation following his third grand slam final against Sinner at the Australian Open last year, Zverev faced heckling from an audience member who shouted, “This court is so special to me in so many ways,”
Given the circumstances leading up to the final, Cobolli, who advanced to his first grand slam final without playing a match in the semi-finals due to his compatriot Matteo Arnaldi’s withdrawal from the tournament because of a virus, was understandably anxious from the outset. He struggled significantly during the opening set.
As the new set began, Cobolli managed to regroup and began to find his rhythm, showcasing his forehand while effectively approaching the net and utilizing drop shots. However, Zverev’s recurring issues with his forehand and second serve resurfaced. He double-faulted twice at 3-3 and mishit a forehand wide on break point. Nevertheless, Zverev regained his composure in the third set, dominating his service games while Cobolli struggled, landing only 52% of his first serves and consistently facing pressure. Trailing 5-4, Cobolli ultimately faltered under the pressure, committing three unforced errors in four points after leading 30-0, resulting in a lost set.
It appeared that Zverev might gain a decisive advantage, but the impending conclusion only intensified his nerves. Throughout much of the fourth set, he appeared overwhelmed. Cobolli, too, faced difficulties, serving at 5-4 but seeing his first-serve percentage drop to 39%, which led him to a tie-break.
Down 3-1 in the tie-break, Cobolli mounted an impressive comeback, finishing with a stunning running forehand winner to level the match at two sets apiece. Pumping his fists and cheering for his team, he positioned himself just one set away from victory. However, his energy reserves were diminished, and he faltered at the beginning of the final set, conceding his opening service game without a fight and failing to recover.
