Zverev and how his career will change after winning Roland Garros

Pedro de Pablos | 9 Jun 2026 | 18.19

Zverev and how his career will change after winning Roland Garros. Source: Getty Images.

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Alexander Zverev made history last Sunday by defeating Flavio Cobolli and lifting his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros 2026. After a long time pursuing this goal, the 29-year-old German tennis player has relieved himself of a burden, which will mark a before and after in his career, for better or for worse. It depends on himself.

The positive side is the backpack of stones Zverev has freed himself from, as the ghost of his curse in Grand Slams had been haunting him for too long. He had lost the three previous finals he had played in a major, and in the US Open 2020 final against Dominic Thiem and the Roland Garros 2024 final against Carlos Alcaraz, he was very close to clinching the title. Too much pressure on his shoulders that has now completely disappeared.

In fact, it is something he emphasized after winning the title on Philippe Chatrier Court. Nerves, pressure, expectations... this time he was the clear favorite and managed to fulfill his mission to avoid being asked in every press conference whether he would end his career without winning a title of this magnitude. This will also allow him to play more freely, something very dangerous for his rivals considering the talent and skills he possesses. In subsequent interviews, he has revealed that he is already thinking about winning the next one, although there are also certain factors that could work against him.

Zverev and his pending task with Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic

The first factor is not what, but who. Because yes, it is true that 'Sascha' took the trophy at Roland Garros. Equally true is that he did not face any top 10 player along the way, nor Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, or Novak Djokovic, his main executioners in his recent Grand Slam appearances. In fact, he seemed nervous and error-prone in the final, a mistake that would have been fatal against these three names.

Prior to this tournament, it was already known that Zverev was one of the most complete and consistent players on the circuit. He usually reaches the later rounds of important tournaments, there's no doubt about that, but his hand shakes at crucial moments. This time was no different, except that Cobolli's hand shook more than his. Obviously, the German player remains a threat to Sinner, Alcaraz, or Djokovic, but the question of whether he will be able to face them in a Grand Slam remains unanswered. It won't be dispelled until he proves otherwise.

Will Zverev lose ambition after achieving his first Grand Slam?

The other major issue is a possible loss of ambition after achieving a goal he had been fighting for so long. At 29, 'Sascha' already has a gold medal at the Olympics and a Grand Slam title, so he runs the risk of feeling empty after proving that he did have what it takes to win a major. It is not the first time we see a player fall into a pit after reaching the top, and considering his mentality, this is a real risk.

In fact, he is one of the few players who, after achieving such milestones, is making headlines for completely non-sports-related issues, so it will be interesting to see how it affects him psychologically. No one doubts his qualities, and it is likely that he will continue to go far in every tournament, but the situation at Roland Garros was completely atypical, something that is unlikely to be repeated at Wimbledon or the upcoming Grand Slams. Last Sunday Zverev's career changed completely, and now it remains to be seen whether that change is for better or for worse.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zverev y cómo cambiará su carrera tras ganar Roland Garros

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