Alexander Zverev won his Halle Open opener 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 against Vit Kopriva. His daughter Mayla was in attendance.
What happened?
Zverev played his first match on grass this season at the ATP 500 tournament in Halle, Germany. He survived a second-set fightback from the Czech qualifier.
Why it matters for Alexander Zverev
The World No. 3 is seeking to win the Halle Open for the first time. He has finished as runner-up twice, in 2016 and 2017.
Zverev's daughter Mayla, born in March 2021, is his child with former partner Brenda Patea. Mayla made a rare public appearance during the match.
What comes next?
Zverev will face compatriot Yannick Hanfmann in the second round. He has a 1-0 head-to-head record against Hanfmann, winning in three sets in Munich in 2018.
The German tennis star has spoken about keeping his daughter away from the spotlight. He wants Mayla to have a normal childhood, away from social media.
Zverev's girlfriend Sophia Thomalla was also in attendance, accompanying Mayla during the match. The family's presence seemed to bring good luck, as Zverev secured a hard-fought victory.
The Halle Open is a prestigious grass-court event, and Zverev is determined to win it for the first time. He will need to overcome tough opponents, including potential matches against Raphael Collignon or Mattia Bellucci.
Zverev's off-court history has drawn scrutiny, including a physical abuse case involving his former partner Brenda Patea. The case was closed in June 2024 after an out-of-court settlement.
As the top seed in Halle, Zverev is favored to win the tournament. However, he will need to maintain his focus and composure to overcome the challenges ahead.
The World No. 3 has a strong record on grass courts, and his victory in the Halle Open opener is a promising start. With his daughter Mayla and girlfriend Sophia Thomalla supporting him, Zverev is ready to take on the competition.