Alexander Zverev is poised to compete for his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, where he will face Flavio Cobolli in the championship match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The final pits the German second seed, who was runner-up in 2024, against the 10th-seeded Italian, who recently defeated Zverev in Munich.

Despite their on-court rivalry, Zverev and Cobolli share a friendly relationship. Zverev, 29, spoke positively about his opponent, noting their growing rapport since the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin. He highlighted the connection between their families, mentioning frequent exchanges of tennis insights with Cobolli’s father. “He’s a great player, great guy. I like him. I like his dad a lot,” Zverev said ahead of the final. “I look forward to playing him in the final.” He emphasized his focus on playing well and managing his own performance in what promises to be a significant match for both players.

Cobolli, 24, comes into the final well-rested after benefiting from an unexpected walkover in Friday’s semifinals when Matteo Arnaldi withdrew just 20 minutes before their scheduled match. Cobolli acknowledged the challenge of maintaining competitive rhythm with an extended break but expressed confidence following a strong warm-up session. “I think I will be ready, for sure, for the final, but I also know that I will be fresh,” he said.

The upcoming match represents Cobolli’s first Grand Slam final, and a win would mark a breakthrough moment in his career. A victory would also secure his place inside the world’s top 10 rankings for the first time. While Zverev is viewed as the heavy favorite given his experience and previous major final appearances, Cobolli’s recent success and form inject uncertainty into the contest.

The players are set to face off today, both vying to capture their inaugural Grand Slam trophy and make a significant mark on the professional tennis landscape.