What Alexander Zverev told Flavio Cobolli at the net immediately after knocking him out of the French Open

In a display of both dominance and sportsmanship, Alexander Zverev powered into the fourth round of the 2025 French Open, dispatching Italy’s rising star Flavio Cobolli in a straight-sets masterclass on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The world No. 3’s 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1 victory, sealed in just two and a half hours, kept his dream of a maiden Grand Slam title alive while snapping Cobolli’s impressive seven-match winning streak. Yet, it was Zverev’s heartfelt words at the net—praising the young Italian’s breakthrough season—that stole the spotlight, showcasing the German’s grace under pressure and adding a touching layer to their competitive clash.

Zverev, a 2024 Roland Garros finalist, entered the match as the clear favorite, boasting a 37-9 record at the clay-court major and a 16-6 clay record in 2025. His journey to the third round was not without challenges, as he dropped the first set to Jesper de Jong in the second round before rallying for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 win. Against Cobolli, ranked No. 26, Zverev was relentless from the outset, breaking in the first game and securing the opening set in just 39 minutes with a second break at 4-1. “I was very hot at some point, but he started playing incredible tennis and not missing any balls,” Zverev admitted, acknowledging Cobolli’s resilience, particularly in the second set. The Italian, fresh off titles in Bucharest and Hamburg, pushed Zverev to a tiebreak, capitalizing on two service breaks to level the score. “He probably should’ve won the second set,” Zverev conceded, noting how his tiebreak composure gave him a “mental edge” that carried him through the third set, where he broke early and raced to a 5-1 lead.

Cobolli, making his first third-round appearance at Roland Garros, arrived in Paris on a high, having stunned Andrey Rublev to claim the Hamburg title just days before the tournament. His 15-5 clay record in 2025 and aggressive playstyle—marked by 70% first-serve points won against Matteo Arnaldi in the second round—made him a dangerous underdog. Despite his 1-9 record against top-10 players, Cobolli’s spirited performance, including a long-line forehand winner and a clutch tiebreak save, earned Zverev’s respect. At the net, Zverev embraced Cobolli like a mentor, offering words of encouragement that resonated with the Parisian crowd. “Congratulations on everything you have done this year. You will do much more,” Zverev told the 22-year-old, referencing his Hamburg triumph and sparking a smile from Cobolli despite the defeat. Commentator Nick Mullins, capturing the moment, called it “a lovely note from Zverev to Cobolli,” highlighting the German’s class.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/what-alexander-zverev-told-flavio-cobolli-at-the-net-immediately-after-knocking-him-out-of-the-french-open/)

Zverev’s performance was a blend of power and precision, with eight aces and a 77% first-serve rate underscoring his dominance. “I do think when he is playing the right way on good form, he is almost unstoppable and can match anybody in the world,” analyst McClagen said, praising Zverev’s proactive forehand and rock-solid backhand, often called the best in men’s tennis by Andre Agassi. Yet, Cobolli’s brief resurgence in the second set, where he broke Zverev twice, showed his potential to challenge the elite. “This young Italian has had a great start to the year with a couple of titles,” McClagen noted, emphasizing Cobolli’s growing stature among Italy’s rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/what-alexander-zverev-told-flavio-cobolli-at-the-net-immediately-after-knocking-him-out-of-the-french-open/)

As Zverev advances to face Tallon Griekspoor in the fourth round, his eighth consecutive last-16 appearance at Roland Garros signals his consistency, though his 0-3 record in Grand Slam finals looms large. “This court is very special to me,” Zverev reflected, recalling both his 2024 final loss to Carlos Alcaraz and his 2022 semifinal ankle injury against Nadal. With a potential quarterfinal against Novak Djokovic on the horizon, Zverev’s focus remains sharp. For Cobolli, the defeat stings, but Zverev’s words offer hope. “I’ll bring my best against Zverev,” Cobolli had vowed before the match, and while he fell short, his seven-match win streak and fearless play signal a bright future. In a tournament filled with high stakes, Zverev’s gesture at the net reminded fans that tennis, at its core, thrives on respect and camaraderie, elevating the sport’s drama on the Parisian clay.