ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
Tennis players live on an island. No matter how big their entourage, they ultimately spend the duration of their competitive lives in isolation, solving problems, managing emotions and fighting off fatigue. But 23-year-old American Zach Svajda, who reached the second week in Paris for the first time on Saturday, was not alone as he battled past No.26 seed Francisco Cerundolo in five sets for his biggest career win.
Svajda scores milestone with dad in his heart
The American feels his father's presence in Paris
In the deepest, most sincere way, he was with his father Tom, who passed away last October.
“The emotions were insane,” Svajda said in his post-match press conference. "It's still kicking in, still so fresh. That match point, when I fell to the ground, it was just so special.
“It's my dad's birthday today. I was thinking about that, too. I was nervous. I know he's proud of me, and I want to perform well and win. When I got the last point, I just teared up, fell to the ground like, ‘Oh, my gosh, what is happening?’"
The last years have been a heavy time for Svajda and his younger brother Trevor, who is currently a standout player at Southern Methodist University in Texas. Their father revealed a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in 2024, and Zach and Trevor have soldiered on since, getting support from friends, family, and their allies in the close-knit tennis community.
Frances Tiafoe, who also reached the fourth round on Saturday, was one of the first players to congratulate Svajda.
“He went through some emotional stuff and obviously today was his dad’s birthday and he got it done. He’s a great player and a great person,” Tiafoe said. “That’s massive, just super happy for him.”
Zvajda has done remarkably well in 2026, dealing with grief as he blossoms on the court, achieving success that brings him closer to his father.
He made his top-100 debut in February after winning a Challenger title in his hometown.
Though he has hardly any clay-court experience, he has used his new-found confidence to gain success on the terre battue. Svajda entered this year’s draw with one career win at ATP level on clay, and he’s already quadrupled that by reaching the round of 16.
“I’m taking it all in for sure, but I know I can even go further if I believe in myself and play well,” the San Diego native said. “I’m just trying to stay present – day by day.”
What would his dad tell him if he were in Paris?
“Every time I step on the court, just enjoy it, and just believe in yourself, knowing that I can beat anyone on any given day, so I thought about that today on court – it’s incredible,” he said, eager to dive into the intense emotions that are swirling around him.
Svajda had a whirlwind day on Saturday, talking to a room full of reporters, then sitting for television interviews with TNT and the Tennis Channel. He told them all his story. How he felt his dad’s presence and how it helped him push himself in a gruelling match in which he was cramping down the stretch.
“I would say he helped me the most, to win my match today,” he said. “I thought about it so much, waking up and in the match, too. I always play for him, and I wanted to win today on this special day – when I won the match, I laid down on the court and started tearing up – oh my goodness I just did it.”