Friendship will take a back seat at Roland Garros as Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli face off in the French Open men’s final on Sunday. Despite their close personal bond, both players say their focus is firmly on winning a first-ever Grand Slam title.

The 2026 French Open men’s final promises a historic showdown as second seed Alexander Zverev of Germany takes on Italian tenth seed Flavio Cobolli at Roland Garros in Paris. The match will guarantee a first-time Grand Slam champion, marking a significant moment in men's tennis.

Although the two finalists have developed a strong friendship over the past two years, both insist that personal relationships will have no impact once they step onto the court. Their friendship began during the 2024 Laver Cup, where they represented Team Europe and formed what Zverev later described as a natural connection.

Speaking ahead of the final, Zverev praised both Cobolli and his family. “He’s a great player, a great guy. I like him and his dad a lot. They are very good people,” he said. However, the German star made it clear that a Grand Slam final leaves little room for sentiment. “You still try to beat each other and you still try to win, but that’s OK,” he added.

The final comes at a crucial stage in both players’ careers. Zverev, 29, is seeking the major title many tennis observers have long predicted he would win. Despite reaching three previous Grand Slam finals, he has fallen short each time, including a painful defeat in the French Open final two years ago. He also suffered heartbreak at the 2020 US Open after surrendering a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem.

For Cobolli, 24, the final represents an extraordinary breakthrough. Before this tournament, the Italian had never advanced beyond the third round at Roland Garros. His path to the championship match was aided when compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from their scheduled semi-final due to illness, giving Cobolli extra time to recover and prepare.

This year’s tournament has been defined by unexpected twists. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew through injury, while world number one Jannik Sinner suffered a shock second-round exit. The early departure of Novak Djokovic further opened the draw, creating a rare opportunity for new contenders to emerge.

Zverev has embraced his role as tournament favourite, saying he remains focused only on the opponent across the net. Meanwhile, Cobolli approaches the occasion with his trademark relaxed attitude. “I never put pressure on myself. I like to live the moment like I was a kid, with big passion and a big smile,” he said.

The Italian has also joked about relying on a series of superstitions throughout the tournament, including dining at the same restaurant every evening and using the same locker-room shower once favored by Rafael Nadal.

Now, with friendship temporarily forgotten and history within reach, both men stand just one victory away from the biggest achievement of their careers.

And that is the latest from Roland Garros. Stay with us for more updates from the world of sports.