Alexander Zverev refuses to give coach bonus after £2.4m French Open win | Tennis | Sport

Alexander Zverev joked his coach wouldn’t be getting a bonus after he won the 2026 French Open final. Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 in the showpiece event at Roland-Garros to write his name in the history books.

The Hamburg-born ace couldn’t hold himself together after taking the title, with Zverev collapsing to the ground and bursting into tears. When he had finally composed himself, Zverev took to the stage on Court Philippe-Chatrier to issue his gratitude to those that have been with him every step of the way.

During his on-court interview, Zverev joked that his coach, who is also his father, wouldn’t be getting a bonus for his exploits. The 29-year-old remarked: “It is funny because I probably have the longest-lasting team out of anybody in the world. I have the longest lasting coach, my father. I can’t get rid of him. He has been here for 29 years.

“My brother also, 29 years. I can’t get rid of him either. I have my physical trainer who we have been working with since 2014, since I was 16 years old. That is also probably one of the longest relationships on tour. I would like to thank him as well. My best friend, who has been in the box for also over 10 years. One of the most important people for me because he keeps me happy, which is very difficult to do.

“Sergei [manager], we have been working together for over 10 years. Thank you very much for sticking with me. It has been a great run. The physio is new, he has been here for like two weeks, so a great start to a relationship. Well done! Don’t ask for a bonus now. Nothing to do with you.”

In 2022, Zverev had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair during the semi-final against Rafael Nadal after rupturing ligaments in his ankle. The recently-crowned French Open champion reminicsed on his previous heartbreak after taking the crown in Paris, saying: “This court is so special to me in so many ways. I’ve had the best moments of my life on these courts.

“I’ve had the worst moment of my life on these courts. I was playing on that corner over there 4 years ago with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones. I lost a grand slam final here two years ago. But now finally it’s a happy end. Thank you very much to the crowd. I really felt like the crowd was pushing me the entire two weeks. Without you guys I definitely wouldn’t have won the tournament. Thank you very much.”

Meanwhile, on his opponent, Zverev said: “Well, first of all, I want to congratulate Flavio. Unbelievable two weeks reaching a first Grand Slam final and playing this way in your first Grand Slam final is incredible. Not many people do that. Really, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you will hold one of these trophies very soon.

“I also want to congratulate the team because, for me, it is one of the nicest teams on tour. Papa [Stefano Cobolli] you are one of the best people on tour. We always have great conversations. I also enjoy being around you guys. So you deserve it in the future. I am confident you will get one.”

Zverev had been here before, but never quite done it. Three previous Grand Slam final defeats had left their mark on the German, who entered the 2026 French Open final knowing it would likely be his best-ever chance of winning, given Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic had all either been knocked out or didn’t enter the draw.

He got off to the perfect start, racing to a first-set lead after taking the opener 6-1. It looked like it might be a short-lived affair on Court Philippe-Chatrier, but Cobolli bounced back to take the second. Zverev had to wait until the final game in the third to win the set, but in the fourth, there wasn’t such luck, given that Cobolli won it via a tiebreak.

It meant the final went into a decider, with Zverev no doubt replaying all of the previous times he’s blown an opportunity in a Grand Slam final. Instead, fate was on his side, with the world No.3 putting his foot on the gas to take the set, the match and the title.