They said you'd never win: Djokovic pens moving tribute to champion Zverev
Following nearly a decade of near-misses, devastating injuries, and systemic scepticism, Alexander Zverev’s emotional breakthrough at Roland Garros has drawn a deeply personal tribute from Novak Djokovic, who lauded the German’s resilience in overcoming a lifelong battle with Type 1 diabetes to finally claim his maiden Grand Slam title.
Zverev collapsed to the clay in tears on Court Philippe-Chatrier after surviving a gruelling four-hour, 16-minute marathon against Italy’s 10th seed Flavio Cobolli, emerging victorious 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1. The victory not only made him the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles crown since Boris Becker in 1996, but it also closed the book on the most agonisingly prolonged apprenticeship in tennis history.
A day after the final, Djokovic took to social media to pen an evocative note to the 29-year-old, reflecting on a bond that stretches back to Zverev’s childhood.
“Sasha, I have known you since you were 10 years old,” Djokovic wrote.
“You were battling on the practice courts with my youngest brother while I was competing against your older brother, Mischa, on the big stage in both junior and pro circuit. I’ve nurtured a respectful and friendly relationship with your entire family for many years. We had countless conversations on tennis tactics, strategic plays, life, family, business. We had fun time on and off the court.”
Djokovic’s tribute uniquely shed light on the immense physical and psychological barriers Zverev faced behind the scenes, particularly managing a chronic illness since the age of four whilst carrying the heavy tag of being the best active player never to win a major.
“Knowing what you had to endure with your illness since the young age, overcoming the greatest mental hurdle within yourself and shutting down critics who thought you would never win GS, makes this Grand Slam win even more special and memorable,” Djokovic added.
Zverev has battled Type 1 diabetes since being diagnosed at the age of four, but he only went public with the condition in August 2022 when he launched his official foundation to support children facing the same illness.
“Seeing the tears of joy you had together with your parents, brother and other team members made me emotional. I’m happy that you made it and you absolutely deserve this success because you have worked so hard on every front to make it happen. Enjoy it and [well done, brother].”
The validation from tennis’s most successful icon puts into perspective a journey defined by unprecedented persistence. By lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires, Zverev competed in his 125th match at a major, setting an Open Era record for the most Grand Slam matches played before a maiden breakthrough, surpassing Goran Ivanisevic’s previous mark of 105 and Andy Murray’s 100.
Prior to this Parisian triumph, Zverev’s career had become a masterclass in sports drama. He infamously squandered a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final, suffered a horrific multi-ligament ankle tear during the 2022 French Open semi-finals against Rafael Nadal, and fell at the final hurdle at Roland Garros in 2024 to Carlos Alcaraz and in Melbourne to Jannik Sinner.
By answering his critics in a punishing five-set final, Zverev did more than just write his name into the history books; he validated the lifelong faith of those who watched him grow from a tenacious ten-year-old into a Grand Slam champion.
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