<p><strong>"We've ‌been through so much through injuries, through heartbreak, through losses,"</strong> an emotional Zverev told his team ‌during the trophy ceremony after defeating Italy's Flavio Cobolli in the ‌French Open final.</p><p><strong>"We've been losers at some moments, but we're Grand Slam champions now. ‌That's what counts."</strong></p><p>The German's 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 triumph completed one ‌of the sport's most arduous journeys to a major title.</p><p>Four years after leaving Roland Garros in a wheelchair with seven broken bones in his foot and two years after suffering ‌the agony of being beaten in the Paris ⁠final by Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev finally ‌claimed the trophy that had long eluded him.</p><p>The 29-year-old paid tribute to the team that ​had remained by his side through the setbacks, joking that he could not get rid of either his father, who has coached ​him throughout his career, or his brother Mischa. He also thanked his physical trainer, who has worked with him since 2014.</p><p><strong>"I probably have the longest-lasting ⁠team and coach on the ​tour," </strong>he said.</p><p>Zverev also reserved warm words for Cobolli, whose breakthrough fortnight ended one win short of a dream first Grand Slam title.</p><p><strong>"From the bottom of my heart, I hope you lift this trophy very soon,"</strong> Zverev told the Italian. <strong>"You're ‌one of the best people on tour."</strong></p><p>Cobolli praised Zverev after spending a few minutes trying to digest the five-set loss.</p><p><strong>"I'm happy for you but I'm also sad because I was close and I feel it now that you (have) achieved your dream, let me win the next time,"</strong> the Italian said before his compatriot Adriano Panatta, the last Italian man to win Roland Garros in 1976, handed the Musketeers Cup to Zverev.</p><p><strong>"It's been the best week of my life. I always watch Roland Garros on TV, not you Adriano because ‌I wasn't born but it's been a privilege and an honour to ​have you here. I felt a little pressure on my side, it's ‌always tough to play in front of you."</strong></p><p>Cobolli also thanked his blue-clad supporters.</p><p><strong>"I wanna say thanks to the blue wall behind me. I cannot look at you otherwise I'll cry," </strong>he said.</p><p><strong>"I just wanna ask you one thing: so I wanna see all the smiles from you ⁠guys because it's been fantastic to ⁠be with you. Thank you for ‌coming. My mum is still alive so I'm happy."</strong></p>