Alexander Zverev is finally a Grand Slam champion.
The German star captured his first major title Sunday at Roland Garros, defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in a hard-fought five-set final to claim the French Open crown. The victory ended years of near-misses for Zverev, who had previously lost three Grand Slam finals.
For Florida tennis fans, the achievement showcases the power of training in Florida.
Long before lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires in Paris, Zverev spent his youth training at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Wesley Chapel, Florida, one of the state’s most recognized player-development programs.
“We first came to Saddlebrook when [my brother] Misha was 16 years old and I was six years old because the working environment is really great,” Zverev said in an interview with Tennis Channel.
Saddlebrook remains one of the most recognizable tennis academies in the United States and counts Zverev among its notable alumni, along with Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, James Blake and John Isner, among others. The academy’s current leadership also includes former ATP professional Thomas Blake, who returned to Saddlebrook as Director of Performance Tennis.
Zverev’s connection to the academy has been documented throughout his career. In a Tennis.com article, Baseline Staff noted that Zverev spent his youth in Florida as a student at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy.
The road to a major title is built through years of training, competition, coaching, family support and perseverance. For Zverev, that journey ultimately led to the biggest moment of his career on the red clay of Roland Garros. As seen in the video below, Zverev has continued to train at Saddlebrook during the off-season as a professional.
Today, Zverev joins the list of Grand Slam champions. For Saddlebrook, it represents another proud chapter in the academy’s long history of developing world-class players. And for Florida tennis, it serves as a reminder that some of the sport’s biggest success stories have roots right here in the Sunshine State.
From the courts of Saddlebrook to the red clay of Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev’s championship journey is a reminder that some of tennis’ greatest success stories have roots right here in Florida.
===
Written by Florida Tennis Editor Matt Pressman. Photo credit (top): François GOGLINS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
FLORIDA TENNIS NEWS — POWERED BY OUR PARTNERS
