Alexander Zverev has finally claimed his first Grand Slam title. On June 7, the 29-year-old German defeated Italy's Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 in a five-set French Open final at Roland Garros, ending years of near-misses to secure the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the first time. While Zverev relished the moment on the Philippe-Chatrier clay, the woman who has witnessed every painful setback along the way was already boarding a plane.
Did Sophia Thomalla Attend the French Open Final?
Thomalla did not appear at Roland Garros this year, as she was extremely busy with her own career in Germany. However, she had a plan: if Zverev won the title, she would immediately fly to Paris to celebrate with the champion before heading back to Cologne. He won, and she flew.
Thomalla reposted the ATP Tour's Instagram graphic of Zverev screaming in celebration and captioned it: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try and try again." She then followed up with: "Er hat es!!!" — German for "He has it." Raw, unfiltered, five years of waiting packed into three words.
Alexander Zverev's Girlfriend Sophia Thomalla
Then came the Instagram story that confirmed everything: a photo from inside an airplane, Thomalla flashing a peace sign with a wide smile, wearing a black top, with the caption reading: "Paris calling! ??”
Their bond has always been built on a quiet kind of trust. Zverev has spoken openly about what Thomalla's presence means to him: "I think for tennis players, it's always very important who you have by your side. Sophia is someone who gives me calm and security." The couple have been together for five years, and Thomalla has watched him fall agonizingly short on the Grand Slam stage more than once.
At the trophy ceremony, Zverev got emotional recounting the lows that shaped this win: "I've had the best moment of my life on this court, I've had the worst moment of my life on these courts. I was laying in that corner over there four years ago with seven broken ligaments and two fractured bones, I lost a Grand Slam final here two years ago."
He also thanked his father and coach, Alexander Zverev Sr.: "I have my father, I can't get rid of him. He's been there for 29 years." There is something fitting about that — the two people who have stayed through everything, his father on the court and Thomalla off it, both getting their moment on the same Sunday.
The celebrations are now underway in Paris. Whether Zverev and Thomalla keep things private or share glimpses with the world, this one belongs to both of them.
About the Author
Prantik Prabal Roy is a passionate sports writer who eats, breathes, and lives the game. Since 2020, he has been in the content writing industry after completion of his Master's degree in English literature and covering the NFL since 2024 with sharp insights, while also diving into the NHL and MLB with equal enthusiasm. He loves crafting content that drives traffic without sacrificing quality. He blends storytelling with analysis to keep readers hooked. When he is not writing, Prantik can be found cheering on the Buffalo Bills or diving into books that celebrate the world of sports.
