I want more: Alexander Zverev aims for US Open glory after Roland Garros win

Alexander Zverev has finally climbed the mountain he has been trying to climb for years. After winning his first Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open, the German has no intention of stopping there. Now she wants more.

The world number two took that ambition to New York, where he opened his US Open campaign with a hard-fought five-set victory over Lorenzo Sonega. Zverev survived a nearly five-hour battle to beat the Italian 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-5, 6-4 to keep his quest for a second Grand Slam title alive.

“Yeah, there was definitely some weight on my shoulders, for sure, especially at the age I’m at. You never know if that’s ever going to happen,” Zverev told JioHotstar.

“So I was very happy to finally lift my first Grand Slam trophy, but now that you’ve done it, you want more. You want to keep going, you want to keep playing good tennis and hopefully you’ll be a contender for the next one as well.”

That first major finally arrived at Roland Garros in June, when Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in a dramatic finale. The victory ended years of frustration for the German, who had previously lost three Grand Slam finals, including the 2020 US Open final.

“I think it was just a result of the work I’ve done over the years. Many times I’ve come up short,” Zverev said.

“That’s maybe what made the difference in the end against Flavio in the fifth set. I felt really ready to win, which was a different kind of feeling than in other finals. Of course I’m glad it happened, but now we’re in New York and I want to try and do it again.”

ZVEREV’S FIRST MAJOR CHANGED EVERYTHING

Alexander Zverev won the French Open in June. Courtesy: Reuters

For years, Zverev has been caught in a frustrating space between being good enough to challenge for Grand Slam titles and actually winning one. He reached the finals of the US Open in 2020 and also reached the finals of the 2024 French Open and 2025 Australian Open, but failed each time.

This made his breakthrough in Paris particularly significant. Zverev became a Grand Slam champion for the fourth time when he asked in a major final, overcoming Cobolli in five sets and finally removing the biggest question mark hanging over his career.

The win also gave him something the stats and rankings couldn’t: the belief that he could close out the biggest games.

“I feel that I’m finding my rhythm, I feel that I’m finding my game again, which is a very nice feeling. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and I hope I can be at my best again,” Zverev said.

FROM ROLAND GARROS GLORY TO US OPEN DREAM

Zverev finished as runner-up at the 2020 US Open. Courtesy: Reuters

However, New York immediately reminded Zverev that he will have to fight hard for another Grand Slam title.

He took the opening set against Sone but dropped the next two, including a tie-break in the third set. He was just two points away from defeat in the fourth before making the fight needed to turn the match around. He eventually forced a deciding set and completed a 6-4 comeback.

It was hardly a smooth start for the top seed, but perhaps just what Zverev needed. After early exits from Toronto and Cincinnati raised questions about his form, surviving such a tough opener could provide a valuable boost.

“I feel like I can do it after the French Open and then the last two tournaments,” Zverev admitted before the tournament. “But I definitely feel my game is coming back.

His next opponent is Frenchman Quentin Halys. But the goal remains much bigger than just reaching the third round.

Zverev has waited long enough for his first Grand Slam. Now he knows what it’s like to win. And after Paris, the German made his ambitions clear: he wants more.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

02 Sep 2026 21:55 IST