Alexander Zverev has finally revealed the overwhelming weight of being labeled the top favorite following the surprising eliminations of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros. The pressure reached unsustainable levels for the German, who admitted to having sleepless nights, consumed by anxiety and the expectation of winning his long-awaited first Grand Slam title. This confession comes after weeks of denying any influence from the early defeats of his rivals—a stance now contradicted by the champion himself.
With the unexpected exits of Sinner, who was eliminated in the second round by Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Djokovic, who was ousted by João Fonseca after coming back from two sets down, the tournament landscape opened up in an unprecedented way. Zverev, then the highest seed remaining in the draw, could not hide the nerves brought on by the unique opportunity to etch his name in the history of world tennis. Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, had already withdrawn before the tournament began due to a wrist injury, further clearing the path.
THE 2026 WORLD CUP LIVES ON WITH LEGO
The impact of these eliminations was such that Zverev, during an interview with the newspaper BILD, opened up: “I told myself that I was taking one match at a time and focusing only on the things I could control. But even with my phone off and not reading anything, of course, you hear—that those two were already out. That made me nervous. I didn’t sleep at all that night.” The words of the German tennis player illustrate the emotional turmoil he experienced and explain the magnitude of the mental challenge he faced until his final triumph.
The importance of this achievement is undeniable. By defeating Flavio Cobolli in a dramatic final that was decided in five sets, Zverev not only became the champion of Roland Garros, but also the first tennis player with type 1 diabetes to win a Grand Slam title. After a journey marked by lost finals—US Open 2020, Roland Garros 2024, Australian Open 2025—this victory represents a turning point for the German, who has finally broken the curse and overcome doubts about his ability to triumph on the biggest stages.
The pressure was not only sporting but also personal. Zverev explained: “Suddenly, out of the three big favorites, I was the last one left in the draw. Suddenly, this was my great opportunity to win my first Grand Slam—one that I could and perhaps had to win. It was an incredibly stressful week, with unbelievable pressure. I felt uncomfortable at various moments, but I managed everything incredibly well.” With this honesty, Zverev illustrates the loneliness of the favorite and the psychological demands of being at the top of the world.
Zverev’s triumph, in addition to being historic for him, holds particular significance for all those living with diabetes. “It’s a sign for parents and children that everything is achievable with diabetes. I’ve talked about this many times, but now I’ve proven it. Talking is one thing; showing is another. I have this condition and now there is someone they can touch, someone who has been through it all,” the German said, visibly emotional, to the same newspaper. This victory thus takes on an even deeper meaning, inspiring a new generation of athletes not to give up on their dreams.
In the near future, Zverev has already announced his withdrawal from the Stuttgart Open, where he was the runner-up. Grass remains his biggest challenge: he has never won a title on this surface and Wimbledon continues to be the only Grand Slam where he has never advanced past the fourth round. Last year, he was eliminated in the first round by Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in five sets. With Sinner as the defending champion and Alcaraz absent due to injury, the Wimbledon draw promises new surprises.
It remains to be seen whether Zverev will be able to capitalize on the psychological momentum from this victory in Paris and finally triumph on British soil. The tennis world will be watching for the German’s response, now with a renewed status and boosted confidence, but aware that the pressure will once again be immense. The next chapter promises to be explosive, with all eyes on the new Roland Garros champion and his aspirations to dominate the biggest stages in world tennis.
NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
