Alexander Zverev won his first major after 42 attempts

For over a decade, Alexander Zverev carried the weight of being one of the most talented players in tennis without a major trophy to show for it. His journey to a Grand Slam title was defined by a long series of narrow misses and psychological hurdles. By the time he reached the French Open final on June 7, 2026, he had competed in 42 Grand Slam tournaments, including 39 appearances in the main draws, without ever reaching the winner's circle.