Alexander Zverev has finally added a Grand Slam title to his resume, battling past Flavio Cobolli in a gripping five-set contest.
There were moments when it looked like he might let it slip, but the outcome always seemed fitting. No player had been more overdue for a major breakthrough.
Zverev was widely regarded as the best active player yet to win a Slam, and he can now leave that label behind him.
While his victory will stir up mixed feelings for various reasons, Zverev chose to focus on the positive in his on-court interview after the match.
Alexander Zverev’s full speech after his Roland Garros triumph
He said: “First of all I want to congratulate Flavio for an unbelievable two weeks. Reaching your first Grand Slam final and playing this way in your first Grand Slam final was incredible. Not many people do that.
“Congratulations to you, and really from the bottom of my heart I hope you will hold one of these trophies very soon.” Zverev then shifted his attention to the crowd at Roland Garros, expressing his gratitude.
“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 on this court, and I have had the worst moment of my life on this court.“
“I was lying on the floor in that corner over there four years ago with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones, and I lost a Grand Slam final here two years ago.“
“Now, finally, it is a happy ending. Thank you very much to the crowd. I really felt the crowd was pushing me throughout the entire two weeks, and without you guys, I would not have won the tournament, so thank you so much.”
The new champion closed by addressing his team, acknowledging each member individually. “Then I would like to thank my team. It’s funny because I have probably the longest-lasting team out of anybody in the world.
“I have the longest-lasting coach, who is my father; he has been there for 29 years. I have my brother, also 29 years old; I can’t get rid of him either! I have my physical trainer, and we have been working together since 2014, when I was 16 years old.”
“My best friend, who has been in the box for over 10 years. Probably one of the most important people to me because he keeps me happy, which is very difficult to do.”
“Then Sergei, we have been working together for over 10 years in different roles. The physio is new! He has been here for like two weeks, so great start to our relationship. Well done! Don’t ask for a bonus now”
“I just want to say thank you to everybody. We have been through so much. Injuries, heartbreak, losses. We have been losers at times as well in the most important moments, but at the end of the day we are Grand Slam champions now, and that is what counts.”
The best player is still chasing their first Grand Slam title
With his first Grand Slam win, Zverev has finally shed the tag of being the best player yet to win a major. That distinction will now pass to someone else.
There are plenty of players who could be considered, spanning different eras and playing styles. Marcelo Ríos is often brought up in these conversations. While he reached just one Grand Slam final, he did spend time as world No. 1.
David Ferrer was a consistent presence near the top of the rankings for years, though he fell short in his only Grand Slam final appearance.
Other names often mentioned include David Nalbandian, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych, all of whom had strong careers without managing to capture a major title.
Among more recent players, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas stand out. Both have reached three Grand Slam finals but are still searching for their first win at that level.
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