Many consider Alexander Zverev to be the greatest men’s player never to win a major, but he’ll have the chance to free himself of that title on Sunday.
Zverev will take on Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final, with both players looking to capture a maiden Grand Slam trophy.
The German has captured titles at almost every level in tennis, including two ATP Finals crowns, seven Masters 1000s, and an Olympic gold medal, but he has yet to get his hands on a major, despite making three finals previously.
Prove me wrong – Alexander Zverev WILL win Roland Garros now
With a career-high of second in the world, Zverev has recorded a fantastic career, but is still criticised for one aspect of his game which drives former US Open champion Andy Roddick ‘crazy’.
Andy Roddick fires back at criticism of Alexander Zverev
Speaking on the ‘Served‘ podcast, Roddick said: “People criticise Zverev’s forehand, but it’s a criticism based in, can it get exposed against two players because you don’t hit clean winners off it all the time.
“His forehand to someone’s forehand is very, very good. His forehand when he is moving to his right and he has to flatten it out line is okay.
“His forehand inside out, it’s not going to be flat, it’s going to still be around the outside of the ball, but it’s effective. Is it elite when he gets into that forehand corner? No.
“That is the criticism. Every other part of your game is elite. You are an elite mover. Your backhand is elite, your serve is elite. You start picking apart great players based on them almost having to be perfect.
Where will Alexander Zverev finish 2026 ranked?
“That does not mean Zverev’s forehand is bad. That’s the thing that drives me crazy [people say] ‘Zverev’s forehand is bad’. No! His forehand is better than 80% of the Tour!
“If he can get away with bullying someone’s forehand corner, because he likes that big swing and comes around the outside of the ball, if he can sweep it to their forehand and they are trying to pinch it to his backhand, or he can create space and take time to where the traffic comes back to his backhand, he is in business.
“He was able to get that pattern all the time, and all Mensik was trying to do was get out of something way too early.”
Alexander Zverev’s route to the 2026 French Open final
Despite not having to face a top 20 player en route, Zverev has not crumbled under the pressure of being the favourite to win Roland Garros following the exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
Zverev kick-started his campaign with two straight-set wins over Benjamin Bonzi and Tomas Machac.
He dropped his first set in Paris against Quentin Halys in the third round, but quickly bounced back in round four by beating Jesper De Jong comfortably.
His quarterfinal opponent came in the form of promising teenager Rafael Jodar, but Zverev was largely untroubled by the Spaniard, and beat him 7-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Zverev booked his place in the final by overcoming Jakub Mensik in four sets, and will now face his first top-20 player of the tournament in Cobolli.
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