According to Sports NDTV, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev finally claimed his maiden Grand Slam title on Sunday, triumphing at the French Open after a grueling five-set battle. The victory at Court Philippe-Chatrier not only marks a career-defining moment for the German but also etches his name in history as the first diabetic player to win a major.
Zverev overcame Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a captivating final that stretched for 4 hours and 16 minutes. The final scoreline read 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1, a testament to the fluctuating fortunes and intense competition between the two players.
A hard-fought final and a historic breakthrough
The path to this Grand Slam glory has been a long and often frustrating one for Zverev, who had previously lost all three of his career Grand Slam finals. His most notable prior defeat came in the 2020 U.S. Open final, where he squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem. More recently, he was beaten in straight sets by Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final. This win at Roland Garros represents a significant mental and physical breakthrough, finally delivering on the immense potential he has shown throughout his career.
The tournament itself saw several top contenders falter or withdraw, setting a unique stage for Zverev’s triumph. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner struggled with a heat wave in the first week and notably wasted a two-set and 5-1 lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round. 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was also eliminated, while two-time reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz pulled out before the tournament began due to an injured right wrist. These absences and early exits arguably opened the door, but Zverev seized the opportunity with conviction.
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Tributes pour in for the new champion
Following his historic win, tributes flowed for Zverev from tennis legends and sports icons alike. Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner and record 14-time champion at Roland Garros, took to X to congratulate the German.
“Congratulations, @AlexZverev on winning @rolandgarros! So well deserved after all the hard work and perseverance. You’ve been chasing your first Grand Slam for a long time, and you absolutely deserve it! And congratulations to Flavio as well for a fantastic tournament!” Nadal posted.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also praised Zverev’s perseverance, acknowledging the long road to his first major title.
“Sometimes tennis can take a long time to give back what players keep putting in. Good to see Alexander Zverev win his first Grand Slam at Roland-Garros today. Always felt he was a special player! Credit to Flavio Cobolli for the way he competed today as well. Both players gave everything to the game,” Tendulkar remarked, as reported by AP Inputs.
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Zverev’s victory is not just a personal milestone but a powerful statement, demonstrating that managing a chronic condition like diabetes does not preclude achieving the pinnacle of professional sport. His resilience and determination have now culminated in a historic French Open title.
Sources: sports.ndtv.com
