Pigeon causes drama in French Open final as Alexander Zverev upset at mid-point landing at crucial moment against Flavio Cobolli

A pigeon swooped in to have its say on Sunday's French Open final between Alexander Zverev and Flavio Cobolli as it landed on the court midway through a key point.

With the two players starting a fourth-set tie-break on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland-Garros, the bird first appeared when it flew behind Zverev’s back during a rally.

It then found a spot to land on Zverev's side of the court outside the tramlines on the right side.

Neither player stopped playing and the pigeon only made a move when Zverev came into the net.

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The German looked as though he might win the point with a forehand volley, but Cobolli came racing in and passed him with a backhand.

”A fantastic shot from Cobolli to finish it off but Zverev thought there should have been a let called as a pigeon landed on his side of the court on the sideline,” said Jim Courier on TNT Sports commentary.

”They played on and it didn’t bother Cobolli one bit as he gets the first mini-break.”

Cobolli went on to win a thrilling tie-breaker to force a deciding fifth set.

Zverev had appeared to be cramping towards the end of the fourth set and received what looked like an electrolyte mix from former doubles partner Marcelo Melo at the end of the 10th game.

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”This is beyond precedent,” said Courier as Zverev took the mix at the side of the court between games.

”The physio is standing right there. I have never seen a player being allowed to engage with another player. Marcelo Melo is not part of the medical staff. What are they doing?

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Video credit: TNT Sports

”That is one problem with that, but the biggest issue is what is Zverev dealing with? It looks to be cramps.”

Zverev was given a time violation by the umpire at the start of the following game when he served.

The German is competing in his fourth Grand Slam final, having lost the previous three, including at the 2024 French Open to Carlos Alcaraz.

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