Alexander Zverev experienced a memorable mix of tennis success and football celebration on Monday in Paris. The German star advanced to the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive year—and for the seventh time in the last eight editions.
Zverev spent less than an hour on court after Tallon Griekspoor retired while trailing 6-4, 3-0. Following the brief match, the world No. 3 was handed a special opportunity: to hold the UEFA Champions League trophy, freshly claimed by Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday night.
With PSG’s landmark win over Inter Milan still energizing the city, the iconic trophy made a surprise appearance at Roland Garros. This offered a unique crossover moment for players and fans alike, combining two of Europe’s premier sporting stages. A passionate football supporter, Zverev was beaming as he held the legendary piece of silverware.
The moment couldn’t have come at a better time for the German, who is riding a wave of momentum in Paris. His win secured a high-stakes quarter-final clash with Novak Djokovic, as he continues his pursuit of a long-awaited first Grand Slam title at age 28.
Zverev had a slow start against the Dutchman but quickly turned the tide, winning nine of the final ten games before Griekspoor’s retirement. Zverev dropped serve once but broke his opponent four times—twice in each set.
Griekspoor, plagued by physical issues, committed 20 unforced errors and was forced to stop early. He initially led 3-0 in the opening set but was broken in games five and seven, allowing Zverev to seize control. The German closed the set at 5-4 and broke twice more in the second before the match ended, securing his spot in the final eight.
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