Alexander Zverev on Sophia Thomalla: "Hold on to the tour" for another ten years

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Sophia Thomalla and Alexander Zverev on the sidelines of the tennis tournament in Vienna

Photo: Georg Hochmuth / dpa

Sophia Thomalla smiled and applauded when Alexander Zverev kissed the trophy for his tournament victory in Vienna in the confetti rain.

The 24-year-old tennis professional proudly presented the golden trophy and received a kiss from Thomalla on the cheek.

In his speech after winning the fifth title of the year, the Olympic champion dedicated a few words to his girlfriend.

"You have to put up with me on the tour for another ten years or so," said Zverev with a wink after the 7: 5, 6: 4 success over the American Frances Tiafoe.

“Thank you for being by my side lately.

I hope this won't be the last time we'll touch a trophy together, ”said Zverev, grinning in Thomalla's direction.

The 24-year-old from Hamburg had previously needed 95 minutes for his 18th final triumph on the ATP tour.

With that, Zverev drew level with the former Wimbledon winner Michael Stich.

Only Boris Becker has won more tournaments with 49 triumphs in the history of German men's tennis.

An unusual schnitzel diet the night before, which Zverev had humorously announced after his smooth semi-final success against the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, seemed to work. “Sophia keeps telling me how can you eat so much scrap all the time and still be so thin? Yes, that's why I move around the field for 18 hours a day, "Zverev reported about teasing his new partner.

The actress and presenter cheered Zverev on loudly from the player box on Sunday.

The two are said to have been a couple for several weeks.

At the beginning of October, Thomalla responded to rumors of relationships with a more or less clear photo.

"I still have an ace up my sleeve for 2021 ..." wrote the 32-year-old on a photo on Instagram.

It shows her and - with her face partially covered - Zverev cuddling on a beach.

The professional organization ATP is currently investigating serious allegations against Zverev.

A former friend had accused him of beating her in October 2019 during the Masters Series tournament in Shanghai.

She also made multiple allegations of physical and psychological violence against the athlete during their 13-month relationship.

Zverev has always denied the allegations.

wit / dpa