Alexander Zverev is finally a Grand Slam winner. After losing the first three Slam finals of his career, the German prevailed in the fourth, winning the Roland Garros title at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday. The lanky player registered a dramatic 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 win against Flavio Cobolli to bring up the biggest win of his career.

The German completed a hard-fought win in four hours, and 16 minutes. The whole match was a see-saw battle, but Sasha dominated the fifth set as he lifted his level against the Italian.

After winning the Championship point, Zverev was seen in tears of joy before embracing Cobolli and shaking hands with the chair umpire.

The German admitted he has seen some of his worst and special moments of his career at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

“This court is so special to me in so many ways,” Zverev said during the trophy ceremony. “I have had the best moments of my life on this court and the worst moment of my life on these courts. I was playing in the corner four years ago over there with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones. I lost a Grand Slam final here two years ago, but now, finally, it is a happy end.”

Cobolli congratulated Zverev on winning the much-awaited first Slam of his career.

“I want to start with you Alex. If someone asked me who deserves this title, I always said you,” Cobolli said to Zverev during the trophy ceremony. “It has been an honour to share the court with you today. I am happy for you but I am also sad as I was close and I felt it. Now that you have achieved your dream, let me win next time.”

Zverev was always a favorite to go all the way after Jannik Sinner suffered a second-round loss. Novak Djokovic also could not go deep, whereas Carlos Alcaraz had pulled out of the tournament due to a wrist injury.

Zverev would look to be at his best in the grass season.