Did Alexander Zverev say something surprising to Flavio Cobolli after knocking him out of the French Open?
Alexander Zverev’s Classy Message to Flavio Cobolli Shines After French Open 2025 Victory
In a display of sportsmanship that captured hearts at the 2025 French Open, Alexander Zverev delivered a surprising and heartfelt message to Flavio Cobolli after defeating him 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1 in the third round on May 31, 2025, at Roland Garros. The German, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, embraced Cobolli at the net and offered words of encouragement that left the Italian smiling. “You’re going to win much more,” Zverev told him, acknowledging Cobolli’s breakout season, which included clay-court titles in Bucharest and Hamburg. The comment, noted by commentator Nick Mullins on TNT Sports, stood out for its warmth and sincerity, especially given Zverev’s reputation as a fierce competitor on the cusp of his first major title.
Zverev’s gesture was particularly striking given the context of their match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The third seed, who reached the final in 2024, dominated early, breaking Cobolli in the first game and cruising through the first set. The second set was a battle, with Cobolli, ranked No. 26, pushing Zverev to a tiebreak after twice breaking his serve. Zverev later admitted, “He probably should have won the second set,” but his mental edge carried him through, allowing him to run away with the third set in just 30 minutes. Despite the one-sided scoreline, Zverev’s post-match praise highlighted Cobolli’s potential, a generous nod from a player who has faced criticism for his on-court demeanor in the past.
Cobolli, visibly moved, later shared his appreciation on X, writing, “Thanks Alexander Zverev for the kind words. Time to rest a bit and come back stronger.” The Italian, who entered Paris on a seven-match win streak, had pushed Zverev with his aggressive baseline play, but the German’s experience—reaching the fourth round for the eighth consecutive year—proved decisive. Zverev’s comments also reflected his connection to Hamburg, his hometown, where Cobolli won the ATP 500 title a week earlier. “He’s a good player, spielt aktuell fantastisches Tennis, wie man bei seinem Sieg in Hamburg gesehen hat,” Zverev said in a press conference, per Olympics.com, showing respect for his opponent’s achievements.
This moment of camaraderie stood out in a tournament marked by intense competition and off-court debates, such as the gender equality concerns raised by players like Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur. Zverev’s words to Cobolli, described by Italian media as a “big brother” embrace, underscored the sportsmanship that can shine through even in defeat. As Zverev advances to face Tallon Griekspoor, with a potential quarter-final against Novak Djokovic looming, his gesture to Cobolli adds a layer of humanity to his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title, proving that class can match power on the clay of Roland Garros.
