Rafael Nadal Says Alexander Zverev Finally Winning Grand Slam Title is ‘Positive Thing for Tennis’

In the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and the early exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic at the French Open, Alexander Zverev got the golden opportunity to end his Grand Slam title drought. And he did not let this chance slip by.

He reached his career’s fourth Grand Slam final and faced first-time Major finalist Flavio Cobolli, who gave him tough competition as he forced the match into the decider but lost the fifth set 6-1. Before this event, Zverev reached the final of the 2020 US Open, during which he squandered a 2-0 lead and lost the match to Dominic Thiem.

In his first Roland Garros final in 2024, Alcaraz clinched a five-set thriller. Zverev was completely heartbroken when Sinner beat him in last year’s Australian Open final, and he cried before the trophy presentation. And he also wept after this French Open, but those were only tears of joy.

Soon after his win, he started receiving congratulations from all corners, including from Rafael Nadal on X. Nadal, who attended The Battle of Stars (a charity tournament), spoke more about Zverev’s Grand Slam triumph.

We had faith in him, basically. I think he’s a player who, given his technical level, deserved to win a Grand Slam. Years went by, and he still hadn’t achieved it. In this case, he had an opportunity, and he took full advantage of it. It’s a positive thing for tennis that someone like him, who has been chasing that dream for so many years, has been able to win a Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal said (H/T: Marca)

Djokovic ended Zverev’s run in the quarterfinals of the French Open last year. In 2024, en route to the final, the German ace beat the 22-time Grand Slam champion in the first round of the clay-court Major, which ended up being Nadal’s last match in the tournament, where he lifted a record 14 titles.

Rafael Nadal lauds young Spanish tennis aces

Carlos Alcaraz is no longer an up-and-coming player. According to Rafael Nadal, the 23-year-old has already become a legend of this sport, having won seven Grand Slam titles, with his win over Novak Djokovic in this year’s Australian Open final making him the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

But there are two more young Spaniards who are also expected to achieve great things. And they are: 19-year-old Rafael Jodar and 20-year-old Martin Landaluce. The latter reached two quarterfinals at Masters 1000 events (this year’s Miami Open and the Italian Open).

Jodar, the winner of the 2026 Grand Prix Hassan II, not only reached the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open but also reached the last eight at Roland Garros on his debut. Alexander Zverev beat him in straight sets.

Rafa Jodar has made a very strong climb in the rankings this year. Only someone with great talent can do something like that. Obviously, there’s Carlos, who will surely recover from his injury because he’s too good not to. And also Martin Landaluce, the academy player, who is making very important strides this year. He has progressed tremendously in recent months.

Rafael Nadal said (H/T: Marca)

Jodar’s run helped him reach a career-high ranking of No.23. Landaluce, who has yet to win a tour-level title, also reached his career-best No.58 after the French Open, where he lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the third round.

Landaluce next played the Stuttgart Open and lost to defending champion Taylor Fritz in the round of 16. Jodar hasn’t yet started his campaign on grass.

Also read: Youngster Rafael Jodar Aims to Continue His Clay-Court Form at Wimbledon