The match appeared to be slipping away from Zverev late in the fourth set. After battling through physical issues, he lost the tiebreak to Cobolli and looked visibly affected by cramps heading into the decisive fifth set.

Yet moments after lifting the trophy in Paris, Zverev delivered one of the most surprising explanations imaginable for his victory during an interview with TNT Sports. “I won because of cramps.”

What happened to Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros?

According to Alexander Zverev, the cramps actually helped him mentally during the most important moments of the match. The German explained that Cobolli’s decision to take a bathroom break between the fourth and fifth sets also gave him more than five minutes to recover physically. That unexpected pause allowed him to regain enough strength to continue competing at a high level.

More importantly, Zverev said the cramps removed the pressure he had been carrying throughout the match. Instead of worrying about winning his first Grand Slam title, his focus shifted entirely toward simply getting through each point. That mental change proved decisive as he regained control in the fifth set and completed one of the biggest victories of his career.

After years of near misses at major tournaments, Zverev finally broke through in Paris. And according to the new Roland Garros champion, an unlikely combination of cramps, a timely break, and a change in mindset helped make the moment possible.

Reflecting on some of the sport’s most iconic achievements, Nadal was asked about the possibility of future players surpassing historic milestones. His response immediately caught the attention of tennis fans around the world. “You never know, but if you allowed me to bet money, I think it will take longer for someone to surpass 14 Roland Garros titles than 24 Grand Slams.”

The statement has generated significant controversy because many fans interpreted it as Nadal placing greater value on his record 14 Roland Garros titles than Djokovic’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam championships. While Nadal may ultimately be proven right, the comparison has reignited one of tennis’ most passionate discussions.

Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic controversy

Supporters of Rafael Nadal argue that winning Roland Garros 14 times may indeed be the most difficult accomplishment in tennis history. No player has ever come close to matching that level of dominance at a single Grand Slam tournament, and the physical demands of clay-court tennis make the feat even more remarkable.

However, critics contend that Djokovic’s record is the more important achievement because it reflects excellence across every surface and every era. Winning 24 Grand Slam titles requires sustained dominance on clay, grass, and hard courts, making it a more complete measure of greatness.

The debate has exploded across social media, with many fans arguing that Nadal’s own comments unintentionally strengthen Djokovic’s case in the greatest-of-all-time discussion.

While Nadal’s 14 Roland Garros titles symbolize unmatched supremacy on clay, Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam crowns are often viewed as proof of his ability to conquer every challenge the sport can offer. As a result, Nadal’s remarks have once again reignited one of the most enduring arguments in tennis history.

Although Chwalinska entered the final as one of the stories of the tournament, Andreeva proved too strong from the baseline and too consistent under pressure. The Russian broke her opponent’s serve seven times and gradually took complete control of the match after establishing a 4-3 advantage in the opening set.

The victory represents the culmination of years of development for one of the sport’s brightest young talents. Working alongside coach Conchita Martinez, Andreeva has steadily improved her tactical awareness, mental toughness, and ability to handle the pressure that comes with being one of tennis’ most talked-about prospects.

Mirra Andreeva sends iconic message after winning Roland Garros

Roland Garros became increasingly unpredictable as several of the tournament’s biggest favorites were eliminated before reaching the final stages. Players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek were unable to complete their expected title runs, creating an opportunity for a new champion to emerge.

Andreeva seized that opportunity brilliantly. Rather than being overwhelmed by the moment, she displayed maturity beyond her years throughout the tournament and delivered one of the most convincing performances of her career when the title was on the line.

During the trophy ceremony, Andreeva once again referenced the phrase that has become synonymous with her rise through the sport. “I want to thank myself.”

Now a Grand Slam champion at just 19 years old, Andreeva faces a new challenge: maintaining this level at Wimbledon and the US Open. If she can continue her rapid development, the sky may truly be the limit for the newest star of women’s tennis.

At just 19 years old, Andreeva became the fifth-youngest player on the WTA circuit to reach the final at Roland Garros over the last three decades. Other legendary names on that shortlist include Martina Hingis (at 16 and 18), Kim Clijsters at 17, and Coco Gauff at 18.

Now, with a chance to win her first Grand Slam title at 19, Andreeva will face Maja Chwalinska of Poland. She has already made history by reaching the French Open final, building on her spectacular run from the previous edition of the tournament, where she reached the semifinals.

Following Andreeva’s recent revelation about why she always thanks herself after every victory, her unique post-match ritual and elite level of play have created massive anticipation for what the Russian tennis player can do in the final.

Andreeva’s performance in finals

While this marks the first Grand Slam final of her young career, Andreeva has already qualified for multiple finals across various tour events. In seven career WTA final appearances, she has won 5 and lost just 2, as she awaits her championship showdown against Chwalinska.

This is the whole picture:

Andreeva can join a prestigious list of names who have won Roland Garros at a young age. If she lifts the trophy, Andreeva will rank among the top five youngest players in history to win the tournament, surpassing Iga Swiatek for the fifth spot at 19 years and three months old.

The world No. 1 was visibly devastated following the loss and admitted that she was struggling to process what had happened on the court. “No thoughts, no emotions. Just want to quit tennis right now, but, we’ll see. We’ll see in few days. Hopefully, I’ll get back on track mentally.”

The comments came after a collapse that few could have imagined. Sabalenka appeared to be in complete control of the contest, winning the opening set 6-3 and building a commanding 4-1 lead in the second. At that point, a place in the semifinals seemed almost inevitable. Instead, the match took a dramatic turn as Shnaider mounted an extraordinary comeback.

Aryna Sabalenka’s heartbreaking exit from 2026 Roland Garros

The defeat was especially shocking because Aryna Sabalenka had looked like the strongest player in the draw throughout the tournament. Entering the quarterfinals, many viewed her as the clear favorite to lift the trophy, and her dominant Round of 16 victory over Naomi Osaka only strengthened that belief.

Yet something changed midway through the second set. Sabalenka’s level dropped, her confidence appeared to waver, and Shnaider seized the opportunity. The Russian steadily increased the pressure while the top seed struggled to regain control, producing an unforgettable turnaround on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

Following the loss, Sabalenka acknowledged that the mental side of the game remains her biggest challenge in crucial moments. “I just have to sit back and openly think about what’s going on in my head in those tough moments. I’m quite an experienced player. I’ve been through so many things and overcome so many things, and I just have to figure out that little thing that sometimes isn’t working for me and hopefully I can overcome it.”

Wimbledon pressure will only continue to grow

Despite the disappointment in Paris, Sabalenka is still expected to enter Wimbledon as the favorite. Her powerful game has long been considered perfectly suited for grass courts, and few players possess the same combination of athleticism and shot-making ability.

However, the pressure surrounding the Belarusian star is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. While she has captured multiple Grand Slam titles during her career, Wimbledon remains the one major prize that has consistently eluded her.

That reality will make every match at the All England Club even more significant as she attempts to bounce back from one of the most painful defeats of her season. For now, Sabalenka plans to deal with the frustration in her own unique way.

“Well, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, I guess. At some point I’ll figure out the situation and we’ll get back tougher. By the way, I just figured out how I can overcome it. One of those rooms where you go in and smash everything. Probably I’ll spend a whole day tomorrow over there destroying stuff. Maybe it’ll help, maybe not.”

Following her masterclass on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Andreeva capped off her post-match remarks with a memorable line: “Thanks to the crowd, thanks to my crew, and thanks to me…” Intrigued by the sign-off, the on-court interviewer immediately asked the rising phenom why she makes it a point to highlight herself in her victory speeches.

“I’ll be honest: At first, I saw Snoop Dogg doing it [laughs], and for the first couple of times I kind of stole it just to make a joke,” Andreeva admitted to the roaring Roland Garros crowd. “But then I realized it’s actually true. We have to thank ourselves for the hard work we put in.”

It is just the latest captivating storyline in a tournament that has kept fans on the edge of their seats, ranging from Novak Djokovic sparking retirement fears after a heartbreaking loss to Joao Fonseca, to Andreeva’s refreshing candor, which has generated plenty of positive buzz regarding the importance of self-belief and athlete mental health.

Andreeva’s performance at Roland Garros

That unwavering self-confidence is clearly translating into on-court success, serving as the bedrock for her deep run in Paris. Andreeva has dropped just a single set all tournament, cruising through four of her five matches in straight sets, with her only true test coming in a resilient 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 second-round comeback against Marina Bassols Ribera.

Against the veteran Cîrstea, the Russian teenager put on a statistical clinic. She leaned heavily on a relentless service game, hitting a stellar 78% of her first serves (31-of-40). More impressively, she showed cold-blooded efficiency by converting a perfect 6-for-6 on break-point opportunities, a flawless 100% conversion rate that firmly cements her status as a legitimate title favorite.

The next challenge for Andreeva

The path to the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen doesn’t get any easier, and Andreeva already knows who stands between her and a grand slam final. She is set to clash with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in what promises to be a highly charged semifinal showdown.

This matchup represents a major psychological hurdle for Andreeva. The two have already crossed paths twice on the tour, with Kostyuk holding the upper hand in both encounters; the Ukrainian claimed a 6-3, 7-5 victory at the Madrid Open after previously besting Andreeva 7-6, 6-3 at the Brisbane International earlier in the year.

Djokovic was eliminated after losing 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 despite holding a two-set lead. Fonseca’s comeback instantly became one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 French Open and potentially one of the defining victories of the young Brazilian’s career.

Shortly after the match, Novak Djokovic posted a message on social media with a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future at Roland Garros. “An epic battle, Joao. And a hard-fought victory you deserve. Best of luck for the rest of the tournament and the incredible career you have ahead of you. As for Paris… tu as mon coeur.”

Novak Djokovic fuels speculation about his Roland Garros future

The message arrives amid growing speculation that this may have been Djokovic’s final appearance at Roland Garros. Following the loss, the Serbian was asked directly whether he expected to return to Paris in 2027 and admitted that he simply did not know.

That uncertainty has fueled retirement discussions throughout the tennis world. At 39 years old, Djokovic knows opportunities to compete for Grand Slam titles are becoming increasingly limited, making this year’s French Open especially painful after the draw opened up following the absence of several top contenders.

For now, the only thing confirmed is that Djokovic intends to continue pursuing Grand Slam No. 25 at Wimbledon. While the challenge remains enormous, many still view the grass-court major as one of his best remaining chances to add another historic title to his resume.

There is also reason for optimism among Djokovic’s supporters. The Serbian has repeatedly suggested that competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics remains one of his long-term goals after winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024. Whether he ultimately reaches that milestone remains uncertain, but for now, his emotional farewell message has only intensified questions about when his legendary career will finally come to an end.

Jannik Sinner struggled with dizziness and was beaten by 56th-ranked Juan Manuel Cerundolo 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 after wasting two chances to serve for the match. On Novak Djokovic‘s side, he was defeated by Joao Fonseca, who became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam. He did it with power, poise, and from two sets down, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5.

With these results and the recent victory of Alexander Zverev, the fourth-round matchups are nearly set. Zverev will face Jesper de Jong, and Joao Fonseca will go up against Casper Ruud. Sinner’s conqueror is the only one left to play, as Juan Manuel Cerundolo will face Martin Landaluce in search of his ticket to the fourth round.

Updated bracket

The defeats of Novak Djokovic, who spoke about his retirement, and Jannik Sinner, who made no excuses regarding the schedule, surely position Alexander Zverev as one of the ultimate favorites to take home the Grand Slam. Here is how the bracket looks for the remainder of this great French Open:

Third Round (May 29-30)

• Juan Manuel Cerundulo vs. Martin Landaluce
• Matteo Berrettini vs. Francisco Comesana
• (19) Francis Tiafoe vs. Jaime Faria
• Raphael Collignon vs. Matteo Arnaldi
• (4) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. (31) Brandon Nakashima
• Moise Kouame vs. Alejandro Tabilo
• (10) Flavio Cobolli vs. (18) Learner Tien
• (25) Francisco Cerundolo vs. Zachary Svajda

Round of 16 (May 31-June 1)

• (11) Andrey Rublev vs. (26) Jakub Mensik
• (28) Joao Fonseca vs. (15) Casper Ruud
• Pablo Carrena Busta vs. (27) Rafael Jodar
• Jesper de Jong vs. (2) Alexander Zverev

Remaining dates

The scheduled dates for the upcoming rounds of the Roland Garros are set for the following days, with the Quarterfinals taking place on June 2-3, the Semifinals on June 5, and the final on June 7. There are still many interesting players to watch, though the tournament feels a bit strange without the main protagonists present.

After falling in an epic five-set battle despite leading by two sets, Djokovic had nothing but praise for the Brazilian superstar prospect. The legend openly discussed Fonseca’s long-term potential and the impact the Brazilian could have on the next generation of tennis stars.

“He definitely has the potential to do that. Things have to come together. He’s very professional. The talent he’s got, the firepower. The whole Brazilian nation cheering him on. Hopefully, he can be the next great thing and win Slams.”

Novak Djokovic admits Joao Fonseca was better in decisive moments

Novak Djokovic also gave a brutally honest assessment of how the match unfolded, admitting Fonseca elevated his level dramatically during the most important moments of the fourth and fifth sets.

Despite the painful defeat, the Serbian insisted he did not feel he played badly overall. “It was just amazing from his side. I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong with my game. He was just better. Incredible match to be a part of. Tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up. But huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match.”

The 39-year-old continued by explaining how Fonseca repeatedly found spectacular shots under pressure as the momentum completely shifted late in the match.

“He, without a doubt, was the better player in the important moments, in those crucial fourth and fifth sets. Some amazing exchanges and points and he just found incredible shots, lines. It was just amazing from his side. Obviously not great for me to be facing a player playing such a level.”

The result instantly becomes one of the defining moments of Fonseca’s young career while also potentially signaling a symbolic changing of the guard in men’s tennis. For Djokovic, the loss represents another painful missed opportunity to chase Grand Slam No. 25. For Joao, it may be the beginning of something much bigger.

If Djokovic loses to Fonseca, the immediate result would be a shocking third-round elimination from the 2026 Roland Garros. But the long-term impact could be even bigger considering how open the tournament suddenly became after the exits of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the two players many expected to dominate the draw in Paris.

For that reason, many tennis analysts already view this French Open as perhaps Djokovic’s best remaining chance to extend his Grand Slam record. With younger stars continuing to rise and the physical demands of five-set tennis becoming more difficult at his age, opportunities like this may not appear often again.

What happens if Novak Djokovic loses vs Joao Fonseca?

Novak Djokovic would be eliminated with a loss to Joao Fonseca. Djokovic already owns 24 Grand Slam titles, the most in men’s tennis history, but the chase for No. 25 has become one of the defining storylines of the final stage of his legendary career. Winning another major would move him even further ahead historically and strengthen his case as the greatest player ever.

That is why a defeat against Fonseca would resonate far beyond Roland Garros itself. The Brazilian teenager is considered one of the brightest young talents in tennis, but Djokovic entered the match as the overwhelming favorite due to his experience, accomplishments and history in Paris. Also, he had a 2-0 lead.

A loss could also intensify questions about whether Djokovic still has enough physically to survive deep Grand Slam runs consistently against younger opponents. While the Serbian remains one of the smartest and most mentally dangerous players on tour, age inevitably becomes a factor during long tournaments played over two weeks.

At the same time, Fonseca represents exactly the type of fearless next-generation player capable of creating problems for established stars. The Brazilian has quickly built a reputation for explosive shot-making and emotional confidence on big stages, making the matchup especially dangerous despite Djokovic’s experience advantage.

If Djokovic survives, the conversation around Grand Slam No. 25 will only grow louder. But if Fonseca delivers the upset, Roland Garros 2026 could instantly become remembered as one of the most painful missed opportunities of Djokovic’s historic career.

What happens if Novak Djokovic beats Joao Fonseca at 2026 Roland Garros?

If Novak Djokovic manages to defeat Joao Fonseca in Roland Garros, the path ahead would remain extremely challenging. A potential Round of 16 matchup against either Casper Ruud or Tommy Paul could await the Serbian star, with both players possessing the level and physical consistency needed to create major problems deep into a Grand Slam tournament on clay.

Sinner eventually fell 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 in a match that completely changed after the Italian held a 5-1 advantage in the third set. At one point, Sinner lost 18 consecutive points as Cerundolo suddenly took over while the top seed visibly struggled with energy, movement and cramping under difficult conditions.

The shocking elimination immediately sparked debate about whether Sinner’s demanding clay-court schedule finally caught up with him after titles in Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome leading into Roland Garros. However, the Italian admitted there is no guarantee extra rest would have changed the outcome.

“You don’t know. If I don’t play Madrid or I don’t play Rome, maybe I come here and still have a day like this where you feel sick. Looking back, it’s always very tough. I won 3 tournaments on clay. Incredible results. Amazing streak I’ve had. As I said in the beginning of the year, this was my main goal here. Early exit is not what I was looking for. But you also don’t know if things would’ve changed if I would’ve maybe skipped Madrid and only played Rome, or skipping Rome and to come here. You never know.”

Jannik Sinner reveals how physically exhausted he felt against Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Jannik Sinner later explained that his body completely broke down during the final stages of the match, forcing him to conserve energy in hopes of surviving long enough to compete in the fifth set. The Italian admitted he could barely recover physically as the momentum shifted entirely toward Cerundolo.

“As I said, the fourth set I let go to recover physically. Fifth set we all know everything can happen. Yeah, it was tough. I was in a tough spot in the fourth and also in the fifth at some point. I really was. I didn’t have energy, really. I was very flat. The whole body. I don’t remember the last time I felt this weak. It is what it is. I tried to stay there with all I had today. This was the maximum I had. It’s a pity because I was playing really well the first couple of sets. Also, the third set I was playing really well. That’s the sport.”

Despite the painful defeat, Sinner still refused to make excuses for the loss and acknowledged the incredible clay-court run he produced before arriving in Paris. Now, after one of the most physically exhausting stretches of his career, attention immediately shifts toward whether the Italian superstar can recover in time to remain a favorite at Wimbledon and later the US Open.