June 7 (UPI) — Alexander Zverev disregarded his tight legs and overcame a deluge of self-inflicted errors to outlast Flavio Cobolli and claim his long-awaited maiden Grand Slam title Sunday at the 2026 French Open.

Zverev, who was 0 for 3 in his previous major finale appearances, became the first German man to clinch a major title since Boris Becker won the 1996 Australian Open.

“This sport is so special to me in so many ways,” Zverev said on the TNT/truTV broadcast. “I’ve had the best moments of my life on this court. I’ve had the worst moments of my life on this court. I was lying in that corner over there, four 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.”

Zverev leaned on his humming serves, which averaged more than 130 mph, throughout the 4-hour, 16-minute match. He sprinkled in deceptive drop shots, which he disguised as powerful returns, to keep Cobolli off balance in the 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6(5)-7, 6-1 victory.

He broke his Italian foe nine times, but logged nine double faults. Cobolli converted 3 of 8 break point chances. He broke Zverev three times. Zverev, who will stay at No. 3 in the ATP rankings, cashed in for $3.25 million and earned the prestigious Coupe des Mousquetaires for his efforts.

Cobolli, who earned $1.61 million, will climb from No. 15 to 10 due to his run in Paris.

“It was the best week of my life,” Cobolli said.

Zverev broke three of Cobolli’s first four serves en route to a dominant opening set triumph. He exchanged points with Cobolli through the first six games of the second set. Cobolli, known for his court coverage and creative shot selection, broke Zverev for the first time in the seventh game of the second set and held in the eighth for a 5-3 edge. He held again for set point to tie the match.

Zverev and Cobolli each held again through the next nine games. Zverev then broke Cobolli for set point to snatch back momentum. But Cobolli responded by breaking the German’s first serve of the fourth set en route to a 3-1 edge.

Zverev broke Cobolli in the sixth game to tie the set. Cobolli broke back in the seventh and held in the eighth for a 5-3 lead. Zverev broke back in the 10th game. Cobolli held in the 12th to force a tiebreak, which he won to trigger a decisive fifth set.

Zverev opened the fifth by breaking Cobolli’s first two serves of the set for a 4-0 edge. He went on to claim championship point when Cobolli hit his final return long.

The German fell to the ground, using the red clay court as a cushion, in celebration of his Grand Slam victory.

Wimbledon 2026 is the next Grand Slam on the tennis calendar. The grass-court major will be held from June 29 to July 12 in London. Zverev has never advanced past the fourth round at Wimbledon. He reached the final at each of the three other majors.