Paris – 08.06.2026: The sports weekend in France and beyond brought many remarkable events. In tennis, Alexander Zverev achieved a historic triumph, while in rugby and football some surprises fueled discussions.
In tennis, Alexander Zverev celebrated his first Grand Slam title at the French Open. After a highly dramatic five-set final, the 29-year-old German defeated Italian Flavio Cobolli 6:1, 4:6, 6:4, 6:7(5), and 6:1. The match lasted more than four hours and marked the end of a long drought for Zverev, who had also struggled with severe injuries. “I thank my fans! It is very special to win here after having experienced so many ups and downs,” Zverev said after the victory.
In the women’s category, the only 19-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva prevailed. She won the final of the French Open against top-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka with 6:4, 3:6, and 6:3. Andreeva, who recently entered the WTA top 100, showed an impressive performance and claimed her first major title.
In rugby, Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) disappointed their fans narrowly. Despite a strong season, they ended up only in seventh place in the Top 14, thus missing qualification for the final phase for the French championship. Particularly bitter: UBB narrowly missed the jump into the best six teams and thus lost the chance to fight for the title.
In football, FC Metz caused a sensation on the European level. In the UEFA Europa League, the Lorraine club secured the title by defeating the Spanish club Real Sociedad 2:1 in the final. The goals for Metz were scored by French national player Amine Gouiri and Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia. Coach Frédéric Antonetti expressed his pride: “This title is historic for our club and our city. We fought hard to get here, and this success is the reward for it.”
Additionally, important stages of the cycling race Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes took place in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, also exciting many cycling fans. The combination of thrilling races, surprising results, and emotional moments made the weekend a versatile highlight for sport in France.
The past weekend illustrated the diversity and intensity of sport on various levels—from the tennis court to the rugby pitch, football stadium, and cycling roads. The outstanding performances of the athletes and teams will be remembered for a long time and demonstrate the fascination and brilliance of sport on the international stage.