The road to Grand Slam glory made a stop in Pensacola. More than 13 years after competing in the Pensacola Pro Tennis Championship, Alexander “Sascha” Zverev captured the first Grand Slam title of his career, winning the 2026 French Open men’s singles championship at Roland-Garros in Paris. Zverev defeated Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a dramatic five-set final to claim his long-awaited major championship.
For Pensacola tennis fans, the victory adds another impressive chapter to the tournament’s growing reputation for attracting world-class talent. Zverev, one of the most accomplished players of his generation, competed in Pensacola when he was 16 years old during the 2013 Pensacola Pro Tennis Championship.
“Having a player of Sascha’s caliber compete in Pensacola is a tremendous opportunity for our community and our tennis fans,” said Ray Palmer, president and CEO of Pensacola Sports. “To see him go on and win his first Grand Slam title speaks to the level of talent that is on display here in Pensacola.”
The German star entered the French Open as one of the world’s top-ranked players and finally broke through after several previous appearances in Grand Slam finals. His victory made him the first German man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker in 1996.
The Pensacola Pro Tennis Championship continues to serve as a showcase for elite professional tennis, bringing internationally recognized players to Northwest Florida while providing local fans an opportunity to see future champions compete up close.
The 2026 tournament featured a strong field of professional players from around the world and once again demonstrated why Pensacola remains a respected stop on the professional tennis calendar. Andrés Andrade came away with the win after a strong match against Alex Rybakov.
For more information about the Pensacola Pro Tennis Championship and other Pensacola Sports events, visit PensacolaSports.org.
About Pensacola Sports – Pensacola Sports is one of the oldest sports associations/commissions in the United States, beginning in 1955. Today, Pensacola Sports manages or assists in numerous events a year throughout the Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County areas, and is the lead sports tourism agency for Escambia County. Events include a high school all-star series, 5K-15K runs, half marathon, fishing tournament, soccer and softball tournaments, collegiate conference and national championships, and annual awards and scholarships banquets to name a few. Pensacola Sports is dedicated to building a better community through sports. Be Moved!
