They said you’d never win: Djokovic writes moving tribute to champion Zverev

After nearly a decade of near misses, devastating injuries and systemic skepticism, Alexander Zverev’s emotional breakthrough at Roland Garros prompted a deeply personal tribute from Novak Djokovic, who praised the German’s resilience in overcoming a lifelong battle with type 1 diabetes to finally claim his first Grand Slam title.

Zverev collapsed on the clay in tears on Court Philippe-Chatrier after surviving a grueling four hour and 16 minute marathon against Italian tenth-ranked Flavio Cobolli, who won 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1. The victory not only made him the first German to win a Grand Slam singles since Boris Becker in 1996, but also closed the book on the most painfully extended apprenticeship in tennis history.

The day after the final, Djokovic took to social media to write a suggestive note to the 29-year-old about a bond that dates back to Zverev’s childhood.

“Sasha, I’ve known you since I was 10 years old,” Djokovic wrote.

“You battled on the practice courts with my youngest brother while I competed against your older brother Misch on the big stage in both the junior and pro circuit. For many years I cultivated a respectful and friendly relationship with your entire family. We had countless conversations about tennis tactics, strategy games, life, family, business. We had fun on and off the court.”

Djokovic’s tribute uniquely shined a light on the immense physical and psychological barriers Zverev faced behind the scenes, notably managing a chronic illness since the age of four while carrying the tag of the best active player never to win a major.

“Knowing what you had to endure with your disease from a young age, overcoming the biggest mental obstacle in yourself and shutting down the critics who thought you would never win the GS makes this Grand Slam victory even more special and memorable,” added Djokovic. Screengrab by Novak Djokovic/Instagram

Zverev battled diabetes 1 since he was diagnosed at the age of four, but only went public with the condition in August 2022, when he launched his official foundation to support children facing the same disease.

“Seeing the tears of joy you had with your parents, brother and the rest of the team moved me. I’m happy you made it and you absolutely deserve this success because you worked so hard on all fronts to make it happen. Enjoy and (good job bro).”

Validation from tennis’ most successful icon shows a path defined by unprecedented persistence. By lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires, Zverev played his 125th match at a major, setting the Open Era record for most Grand Slam matches played before a breakthrough, surpassing the previous mark of Goran Ivanišević’s 105 and Andy Murray’s 100.

Before this triumph in Paris, Zverev’s career had become a master class in sports drama. He infamously squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final, suffered a horrific ankle sprain during the 2022 French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, and fell to Carlos Alcaraz at the final hurdle at Roland Garros in 2024 and to Jannik Sinner in Melbourne.

By answering his critics in a punishing five-set final, Zverev did more than write his name in the history books; affirmed the lifelong belief of those who watched a tenacious ten-year-old grow into a Grand Slam champion.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

08 Jun 2026 20:38 IST