'If I Would’ve Lost This One..': Alexander Zverev Opens Up On Mental Boost After RG Crown

Published 8 June 2026 · india

'If I Would’ve Lost This One..': Alexander Zverev Opens Up On Mental Boost After RG Crown Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 17:15 IST

'If I Would’ve Lost This One..': Alexander Zverev Opens Up On Mental Boost After RG Crown Published By, Last Updated: June 08, 2026, 17:15 IST Zverev revealed the mental implications the title would have on his drive to improve on his showings going forward. Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates after winning the men's final match against Flavio Cobolli of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Alexander Zverev captured his first Grand Slam crown by defeating Flavio Cobolli in the final of the 2026 French Open on Sunday, prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6(5)-7, 6-1 in a thrilling five-set contest. Competing on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Zverev produced a complete performance to secure his maiden Major title against the rising Italian. Zverev revealed the mental implications the title would have on his drive to improve on his showings going forward.

“This trophy for me is very important. If I would’ve lost this one, the self belief would’ve gone down a lot. But now that I’ve won it, I feel like I can do it again." Cobolli began his Paris campaign with a straight-sets win over compatriot Andrea Pelligrino, 6-4, 7-6, 6-3, then swept past China’s Yinbing Wu 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round. He next routed American Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 before overcoming Zachary Svadja 6-2, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 to reach the quarterfinals. There, Cobolli defeated Canadian Felix Auger Aliassame 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. He advanced to the final after compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew prior to their scheduled semifinal. Zverev, meanwhile, launched his run in style by beating Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, then dispatching Thomas Machac 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round.

He overcame Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in the third round before defeating Dutchman Jesper de Jong 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 to secure a quarterfinal spot. Zverev then outplayed Spaniard Rafael Jodar 7-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semifinals, where he got past Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to book his place in the title match. In the final, Zverev struck first to take the opening set, but Cobolli responded by claiming the second to level the contest. The German edged the third set, only for Cobolli to force a decider by winning a fourth-set tie-break. Zverev dominated the fifth set to finally secure his long-awaited Grand Slam trophy. With this triumph, Zverev became the first German man since Boris Becker to win a Grand Slam title since 1966, and the first male player from Germany ever to lift the Roland Garros trophy.