Event
Alexander Zverev defeated Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in five sets to win the French Open final on Sunday, securing his first Grand Slam title. The second seed won 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 in four hours and 16 minutes, becoming the first German man to win a major since Boris Becker in 1996.
2 published stories · security · source reliability 50%
Alexander Zverev becomes the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker in 1996, overcoming a resilient Cobolli and a field decimated by early exits from top contenders.
Background
Alexander Zverev secured his maiden Grand Slam title by defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in five sets at the 2026 French Open. The victory ends a 30-year drought for German men in Grand Slam singles titles, with the last such win achieved by Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open. The tournament was characterised by the early exits of top-ranked contenders, including Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, while Cobolli became the first Italian man to reach the French Open final since 1976. Zverev’s win marks a significant turnaround following a season-ending ankle injury in 2022 and previous final defeats.
Alexander Zverev secured his maiden Grand Slam title by defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in five sets at the 2026 French Open. The victory ends a 30-year drought for German men in Grand Slam singles titles, with the last such win achieved by Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Op
Fact cards
Key entities: Alexander Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, Boris Becker, Roland-Garros, French Open, Roland Garros.
Who did Alexander Zverev defeat to win the 2026 French Open? Flavio Cobolli What is the historical significance of Zverev’s win for German tennis? He is the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker in 1996. How did the tournament progress for top seed
Pre-tournament 2026: Novak Djokovic enters as a title contender; Jannik Sinner is the second-shortest pre-tournament favourite at a Grand Slam since 1990. Friday, 29 May 2026: Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca defeats Novak Djokovic in the third round, ending Djokovic’s quest for a
Timeline
Novak Djokovic enters as a title contender; Jannik Sinner is the second-shortest pre-tournament favourite at a Grand Slam since 1990.
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca defeats Novak Djokovic in the third round, ending Djokovic’s quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Alexander Zverev defeats Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 in four hours and 16 minutes.
FAQ
Flavio Cobolli
He is the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker in 1996.
Djokovic was eliminated in the third round by Joao Fonseca, while Sinner exited early in the tournament.
6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1
Four hours and 16 minutes
Flavio Cobolli of Italy.
Boris Becker, in 1996.
Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic.
50 years.