Alexander Zverev was relieved to finally get his "happy ending" at a grand slam event after lifting his first major title following his victory in Sunday's French Open final. 

Zverev, who had lost all three of his previous major finals, including one at Roland-Garros, got himself over the line with a 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 win over Flavio Cobolli. 

The second seed needed over four hours to confirm his victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier, but he was able to come out on top in a five-set thriller in the French capital. 

His victory was his 125th career men's singles match win at a grand slam event, which is the most of any player in the Open Era on their way to a maiden major triumph.

Zverev is now the fourth player to claim tournament victory at all four ATP big title levels, after Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, and he revelled in his achievement. 

"I would like to thank my team," Zverev said. "It is funny because I probably have the longest lasting team out of anybody in the world.

"I have the longest lasting coach, my father. I can't get rid of him. He has been here for 29 years.  My brother also 29 years. I can't get rid of him either.

"I have my physical trainer who we have been working with since 2014, since I was 16 years old. That is also probably one of the longest relationships on tour. 

"I want to say thanks to everyone. We have been through injury, heartbreaks, losses, we have been losers at times in the most important moments.

"At the end of the day, we are Grand Slam champions now and that is what counts.

"I was laid in that corner four years ago with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones. I lost a grand slam final here two years ago. But now, finally, it is a happy ending."

Only Ivan Lendl (41) and Thomas Muster (29) in the Open Era have claimed more career titles at ATP level en route to their first grand slam title than Zverev's 25. 

But he was made to work for his triumph against Cobolli, who reached the showpiece match after Matteo Arnaldi was forced to withdraw from their semi-final with illness. 

The Italian twice came from behind but ran out of steam in the fifth and deciding set, though he insisted he would look back on the tournament with a great sense of pride. 

"It's not easy for me to talk right now, but I want to start with Alexander. If someone asks me who deserved this title, I always said you," Cobolli said. 

"It's been an honour to share the court with you today. I'm happy for you but also sad because I was close, and I feel it.

"Now you've achieved your dream, let me win the next time. Thanks to all the blue wall [of Italian supporters] behind me. I can't look at you otherwise I will cry.

"I want to ask you one thing – it was an incredible run, so I want to see all the smiles from you guys because it's been fantastic to be here with you.

"I started playing when I was young, and I never expected this kind of result. Now that I'm here, I just want to make something special possible.

"For me, it's not done, it's only the start, and I'm still young, so I just want to enjoy every moment I spend on court."