Alexander Zverev’s 2026 US Open began with more than nine exhausting hours across two five-set matches. The top seed first recovered from two sets to one down against Lorenzo Sonego and then survived another demanding contest against Quentin Halys. By the third round, however, he finally found a more comfortable path, defeating Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets to reach the second week in New York.
Zverev arrived at Flushing Meadows as the reigning French Open champion and a Wimbledon finalist, making him one of the leading contenders for the title. His tennis remains the central story, but the presence of his longtime girlfriend, German television personality Sophia Thomalla, has also attracted attention. Here is the latest on Zverev’s US Open campaign, Thomalla’s support from the stands, and the relationship they have shared since 2020.
Sophia Thomalla’s US Open Appearance Draws Attention
Sophia Thomalla attracted attention in her own right as Zverev began his US Open campaign.The German television presenter shared beach photos and video in a baby-blue outfit while promoting the latest season of Are You The One?. The post circulated among fans already following the couple’s activities in New York.
The beach setting appeared to be connected to Thomalla’s promotional work for Are You The One? rather than evidence that she was taking a vacation during the tournament. She was also seen spending time with Zverev in New York before his US Open campaign began. Her post was tied to the dating show, although her outfit naturally became part of the social-media conversation around the tournament.
While Thomalla was making an impression on social media, she was also in the stands for Zverev’s dramatic opening-round victory. She was spotted in his player’s box during his five-set battle with Lorenzo Sonego, watching as the top seed fought back from two sets to one down to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4. The victory kept Zverev’s title hopes alive, but it was only the beginning of a physically demanding week. He required another five sets to defeat Quentin Halys in the second round before producing a much more controlled straight-sets victory over Alejandro Tabilo.
Thomalla and Zverev have been dating since 2020, and she has regularly appeared courtside during some of the biggest moments of Zverev’s tennis career. She has supported him at major tournaments and publicly celebrated his first Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open. Although work commitments reportedly kept her away from the final, she marked his victory with a congratulatory message on Instagram. Away from tennis, the couple also share two miniature dachshunds, Mishka and Buba, who have become part of their life together.
Alexander Zverev Reaches the 2026 US Open Fourth Round
Alexander Zverev entered the 2026 US Open as the No. 1 seed after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew with a right knee injury. The men’s draw opened further when Novak Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone in the first round, but Zverev still had to survive two demanding matches before reaching the third round.
He first recovered from two sets to one down to defeat Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in four hours and 53 minutes. Zverev then needed another five sets to overcome Quentin Halys, taking his total time on court across the first two rounds to nine hours and 26 minutes.
His third-round match was considerably more comfortable. Zverev defeated 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2 to reach the fourth round, where he will face 21st seed Luciano Darderi. The straight-sets victory was especially valuable after the physical demands of his opening two matches.
A major reason for that confidence is his breakthrough at Roland-Garros. After reaching three previous Grand Slam finals without winning a major, Zverev finally captured his first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open. He followed that breakthrough with another deep run at Wimbledon, reaching the final before losing to Jannik Sinner. The combination of a first major title and a second consecutive Grand Slam final has made 2026 one of the strongest seasons of Zverev’s career.
His preparation included a 10-day training block at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca ahead of the North American hard-court swing. Toni Nadal spent significant time working with him, while Rafael Nadal also joined some sessions. Zverev later described the experience as valuable preparation for the final stretch of the season.
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The draw has opened significantly around Zverev following the departures of Sinner, Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Flavio Cobolli, and several other seeded players. Carlos Alcaraz remains one of the leading contenders, but as the No. 2 seed, he is positioned in the opposite half and could face Zverev only in the final. Zverev’s immediate focus is Luciano Darderi in the fourth round.
Sophia Thomalla Supports Zverev During His US Open Run
Alexander Zverev’s US Open campaign came dangerously close to ending on opening night. The top seed survived Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 in a four-hour, 53-minute thriller on Arthur Ashe Stadium that finished at 1:55 a.m. The German was two points from defeat in the fourth set before turning the match around and keeping his bid for a first US Open title alive.
Zverev started well enough by taking the first set, but Sonego refused to let the match slip away. The Italian raised his level, attacked the net with confidence, and took the next two sets to put the No. 1 seed in serious trouble. For Zverev, who entered the tournament with hopes of making a deep run, suddenly finding himself one set away from elimination was a major test of his composure.
The most dramatic moment came late in the fourth set. With Zverev serving at 4-5 and 30-30, he was only two points away from becoming the first US Open top seed since 2003 to lose in the opening round. Instead of panicking, he found a way to hold serve and then broke Sonego in the following game to level the match at two sets.
By the deciding set, the physical demands were beginning to show. Sonego also needed a medical timeout for a right wrist issue, while Zverev managed to stay composed when the match entered its final stages. The German finished with 12 aces to Sonego’s 16, but won more total points, 175 to 169, and converted five of his 22 break-point opportunities.
After nearly five hours on court, Zverev described the match as an “incredible battle” filled with ups and downs and credited Sonego for playing exceptional tennis. He also admitted that it was the longest first-round match he had ever played. For the German, the victory was about more than simply advancing. He had survived the kind of early scare that can derail a Grand Slam campaign before it has properly started.
Zverev followed the Sonego victory with another five-set battle against Quentin Halys. Thomalla was again seen supporting him during the tournament before he defeated Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets to advance to the fourth round. After spending more than nine hours on court during his opening two matches, the shorter third-round contest gave Zverev a much-needed physical break.
Alexander Zverev and Sophia Thomalla: Relationship Timeline, Net Worth, and Careers
Zverev and Thomalla reportedly began dating in 2020 and made their relationship public in October 2021. They have remained together for more than five years, with Thomalla regularly appearing at tournaments and discussing their relationship in interviews.
Their relationship reportedly began quietly after they met through mutual friends in 2020. For a while, the two kept things private, but that changed in October 2021 when Thomalla confirmed their love on Instagram with a photo of the pair kissing on a beach and the playful caption, “I still have an ace up my sleeve.” The post immediately attracted attention, especially because of Zverev’s status as one of Germany’s biggest sporting stars.
Their relationship became even more significant in 2022 when Zverev suffered a serious ankle injury during his French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal. The injury forced him to spend months away from competitive tennis, and Thomalla was among the people who supported him during his long rehabilitation. Her presence during that difficult period helped show that their relationship extended well beyond the red carpets and social media spotlight.
One of the biggest career moments during their relationship came in June 2026, when Zverev captured his first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open. Thomalla was reportedly not present in Zverev’s player’s box because of work commitments, but she publicly celebrated his victory on Instagram. A few months later, she joined him in New York and supported him during the opening stages of his US Open campaign.
Away from their relationship, both Zverev and Thomalla have built successful careers in their own right. Zverev turned professional in 2013 and has established himself as one of the leading players of his generation. His resume includes major ATP titles, an Olympic gold medal from Tokyo 2020, two ATP Finals championships, and his long-awaited 2026 French Open triumph. His powerful first serve and exceptional two-handed backhand have become defining parts of his game.
Thomalla has created an equally recognizable career in German entertainment. The daughter of actress Simone Thomalla, she grew up around the entertainment industry and went on to work as an actress, model, and television presenter. She has become particularly well known as the host of RTL’s reality dating show Are You The One?, while her television appearances and brand partnerships have helped make her a major personality in Germany.
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Zverev’s financial success has grown alongside his tennis career. As of 2026, Forbes lists his career ATP prize money at approximately $68.6 million and estimates he earned $18.7 million over the previous 12 months from on-court winnings and off-court income. His endorsement portfolio includes brands such as Adidas, Head and Bitpanda. Exact net-worth figures are not publicly confirmed, so estimates should be treated as approximate rather than official.
Thomalla has built her career through television, acting, modeling, presenting, and brand partnerships. She remains particularly associated with German reality television for hosting Are You The One?, while her commercial partnerships have added another dimension to her public profile. Her exact net worth is not confirmed.
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