I had the best and worst moments of my life here

I had the best and worst – Alexander Zverev’s journey to his first Grand Slam title was marked by a series of highs and lows, culminating in a triumphant return to Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. After four years of relentless struggle, the 29-year-old German finally ended his major final curse by defeating Flavio Cobolli in a dramatic five-set clash at the 2024 French Open. The victory, which came after a grueling 1,465-day wait, was not just a personal milestone but a moment that redefined his career trajectory.

Zverev’s path to the Roland Garros crown was paved with adversity. In 2022, during the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, he suffered a career-threatening injury when he fell awkwardly on his right ankle, tearing ligaments and fracturing bones. The incident left him reliant on a wheelchair for several months, a stark contrast to the standing applause he received on the same court in 2024. “This court is so special to me in so many ways,” Zverev reflected after his win. “I have had the best moments and the worst moment of my life on this court.”

“I was laying on this court with an injury that I didn’t know if I will ever come back from. All of those memories, they’re not wiped out,” he said. “They’re still with me but this one will beat all of them.”

The 2022 setback was not his first brush with defeat. Zverev had previously lost three Grand Slam finals, each time falling short of the coveted trophy. His 2020 US Open final, for instance, saw him drop the deciding set to Dominic Thiem after a dominant lead in the third. Similarly, in the 2024 French Open, he was two sets to one against Carlos Alcaraz before the Spaniard clinched the Coupe des Mousquetaires. These moments of heartbreak had become synonymous with his career, fueling both his determination and public skepticism.

Zverev’s 2024 triumph was a culmination of resilience and strategic preparation. The path to the final was uncharted, as top seeds like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz faltered. Djokovic, a three-time Paris champion, was ousted in the third round by Joao Fonseca, while Alcaraz withdrew due to a wrist injury a month before the tournament. The absence of these rivals created a window of opportunity, with Cobolli—the first player in the world’s top 25 Zverev faced—emerging as his most viable challenge. “This was simply his best chance to win his first Grand Slam,” noted analysts, praising Zverev’s ability to seize the moment.

Zverev’s emotional journey was no less intense than his physical battles. Known for his fiery temper and tendency to overreact during matches, he had often faced criticism for his composure. Yet, in the final against Cobolli, he displayed remarkable restraint, holding his nerve through a tense fifth set. The victory was not just a technical triumph but a psychological one, as Zverev acknowledged the weight of his past failures. “Last year was one of the most difficult moments in my tennis career,” he admitted. “This year is one of the happiest moments. It’s a very different feeling right now.”

The emotional rollercoaster of his career reached a peak in 2025, when he faced another crushing loss at the Australian Open. Defeated by Jannik Sinner in a merciless final, Zverev described feeling “mentally empty” in the aftermath. This defeat, coupled with his earlier setbacks, underscored the challenges of breaking the Grand Slam jinx. Yet, the 2024 victory at Roland Garros provided a narrative of redemption, transforming his career from one of near-misses to a story of perseverance.

Zverev’s journey also intersected with personal controversy. In October 2023, he was fined 450,000 euros (£392,000) for a penalty order related to an incident involving his ex-partner. The case, which he contested, led to a public trial in May 2024. Though the trial was discontinued a week into the proceedings, the legal battle added another layer to his public persona, painting him as both a tennis prodigy and a figure entangled in off-court drama.

Despite the challenges, Zverev’s 2024 win solidified his status as a top-tier player. His father and brother, integral members of his support team, were among the first to celebrate his triumph. “We have been through injury, heartbreaks, losses,” Zverev said, reflecting on the trials that brought him to this moment. “We have been losers at times in the most important moments, but today we are Grand Slam champions.”

Nadal, who had played a pivotal role in Zverev’s 2022 semi-final, was quick to congratulate him. “Congratulations Alexander Zverev on winning Roland Garros. So well deserved after all the hard work and perseverance,” Nadal wrote on social media. “You’ve been chasing your first Grand Slam for a long time and you absolutely deserve it.”

For Zverev, the victory was a testament to his ability to overcome obstacles. The 2024 French Open final, which he had previously lost two years earlier, marked a turning point. After years of grappling with injuries, public scrutiny, and the pressure of expectations, he finally secured the title that had eluded him for so long. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, as he celebrated by falling flat on his back, a gesture that symbolized the joy of finally reaching the pinnacle of his sport.