Alexander Zverev explains how cramps helped power him to French Open final win over Flavio Cobolli after 'unstable' fourth set at Roland-Garros

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Alexander Zverev says winning his first Grand Slam title at the French Open has lifted a huge weight from his shoulders, revealing that another defeat in a major final would have been a blow.

'I feel like I can do it again' - Zverev says French Open win important for self-belief

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The German overcame nerves, physical struggles and a spirited challenge from the 10th seed Flavio Cobolli to secure a five-set victory and finally end his long wait for a Grand Slam title at the age of 29.

Zverev, competing in his fourth Grand Slam final, was the favourite to clinch the title at Roland-Garros following a number of shock exits. Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both crashed out early, while the injured Carlos Alcaraz never made it to Paris.

In the build-up to Zverev's semi-final against Jakub Mensik, John McEnroe suggested the tournament could prove a defining moment in the German's career, determining whether he would go on to become a multiple Grand Slam champion or never quite get over the line.

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Even after sealing victory, Zverev struggled to process what he had achieved on a court that has brought significant heartbreak throughout his career, having suffered a serious ankle injury there in 2022 and lost the 2024 final to Alcaraz.

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He said: "I didn't believe that I won. Then I saw my box, and they all kind of celebrated. That's when I realised that I've won. Especially seeing my father raise up his arms, that was when it kind of hit me that, okay, I won.

"Then when I was on the ground, all the emotions came out because, again, I think this court is very, very special to me, but it's also special in a very positive way, but also special in a negative way, because I had some of the toughest moments of my life here, of my tennis career.

"I was laying on this court with an injury that I didn't know if I will ever come back from. I lost a Grand Slam final here. All of those memories for me, they're not wiped out. They're still with me, but this one will beat all of them."

Watch controversial moment Zverev protests to umpire after pigeon lands on court mid-point in final

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The victory was far from straightforward. Zverev admitted he was overwhelmed by nerves and even began to cramp, although he believes the discomfort ultimately helped him play with greater freedom.

He said: "I was cramping. I was struggling physically a little bit, even though I don't think the cramps were physical. I think they were more mental. I was very tightened up. I was very, you know, emotional. I was a bit unstable also in the fourth set.

"I actually think that the cramps helped me in a way. I think that I let go. I kind of hit my shots a bit more and then just let go. And, of course, the fifth set went my way, and I'm happy about that and happy to be sitting next to this beautiful trophy for the first time."

The win marks a dramatic turnaround from the despair he felt after last year’s shock Wimbledon exit to Arthur Rinderknech, where he admitted he was "empty" and struggling with form and confidence.

"I think last year was one of the most difficult moments in my tennis career," he said. "This year is one of the happiest moments in my tennis career, and it's a very different feeling right now."

He now feels liberated knowing he will ”always be a Grand Slam champion”.

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"Now no matter what happens, I will always be a Grand Slam champion, and nobody can take that away from me," Zverev said. "Maybe, yeah, that does give me some freedom. Maybe my mind will just be a little bit calmer when I play a final, meaning that even if I lose it, I will still be a Grand Slam champion.

"I think, yeah, this trophy for me is very important, because if I would have lost this one, the self-belief would have gone down a lot. But now that I've won it, I feel like I can do it again."

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