French Open: How Alexander Zverev finally won a major title

PARIS -- For Alexander Zverev, the relief was palpable.

As the German clinched his first Grand Slam title, in his fourth final, he fell on to his back, tears flowing. The pain of getting so close at the US Open in 2020, and the near misses at Roland Garros in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2025 disappeared.

"I want to say thank you to everyone," he said on the court after his five-set victory over Flavio Cobolli of Italy in the final Sunday. "We have been through so much. We have been through injury, heartbreaks, losses, we have been losers at times in the most important moments. At the end of the day, we are Grand Slam champions now, and that is what counts."