On April 20, 2025, Alexander Zverev marked his 28th birthday in unforgettable style, clinching the BMW Open title in Munich and reclaiming the world No. 2 ranking. The German tennis star’s commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over American Ben Shelton in the ATP 500 final not only ended a six-tournament quarter-final drought but also earned him his third Munich crown, a €467,485 prize, and an electric BMW i5 M60. Amid the celebrations, Zverev’s girlfriend, Sophia Thomalla, stole the spotlight with heartfelt Instagram posts, showering her “better half” with love and nostalgia. Her touching messages, paired with Zverev’s reflections on the “extremely special” win, painted a picture of a deeply personal triumph both on and off the court.
Zverev’s journey to the Munich title was a testament to his resilience. After a runner-up finish at the Australian Open in January 2025, where he fell to Jannik Sinner, the Hamburg native endured a string of early exits, including a shock defeat to Cristian Garín at the 2024 BMW Open. This year, however, Zverev was untouchable. He navigated a tough draw, defeating top players like Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune, before facing Shelton, the second seed, in the final. Zverev’s serve was unbreakable, facing no break points, and his 79% first-serve point win rate sealed a straight-sets victory in just over an hour. “It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany,” Zverev said post-match, calling the victory “probably the most special thing I can do” and a “great birthday present.”
Sophia Thomalla, a 35-year-old German actress, model, and TV presenter, was a constant presence in the stands, her cheers echoing through the 6,000-strong crowd. Her Instagram posts captured the emotional weight of the moment. She shared a throwback photo of a 21-year-old Zverev hoisting his first Munich trophy in 2017, captioning it, “Baby back then 🥰🍼🐣.” A second image showed the 28-year-old champion with the 2025 trophy, accompanied by, “A man today ♥ happy birthday, my love ♥.” A final cozy selfie, captioned “My Birthday boy ❤️,” radiated warmth, delighting fans who admire the couple’s bond. Thomalla’s support has been a cornerstone of Zverev’s career, with the player once noting, “Sophia is someone who gives me peace and security.”
The Munich victory was a turning point for Zverev, who had faced scrutiny after a lackluster clay season in 2024. His 2025 campaign, however, has been stellar, with 24 ATP titles, including two ATP Finals, an Olympic gold, and seven Masters 1000 crowns. The Munich win, his first title of the season, propelled him past Carlos Alcaraz to No. 2, setting the stage for a strong showing at the Madrid Open. “I definitely knew I had to play my best tennis today,” Zverev said of facing Shelton, whose aggressive style thrived in Munich’s hot, fast conditions. “I enjoyed my birthday so far.”
Off the court, Zverev and Thomalla’s relationship, which began in 2020, has weathered challenges. Thomalla, known for hosting Germany’s “Are You the One?” and appearing in shows like “Commissario Laurenti,” has been candid about their demanding lives. “We don’t have a simple life together,” she said in a 2023 documentary, citing Zverev’s grueling tennis schedule and her own unpredictable career. Yet, their mutual support shines through. Thomalla’s presence at tournaments, from the 2024 Italian Open to the 2025 Australian Open, has been a constant, with Zverev crediting her for helping him discover “there is much more out there than tennis.”
The Munich celebration was a blend of tradition and joy. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder presented the trophy and snapped a selfie with Zverev, who donned lederhosen and drove a lap in his new BMW to cheers from the crowd, including Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller. The fans serenaded him with “Happy Birthday,” prompting Zverev to joke, “You can all be happy that I didn’t have to sing.” As Zverev heads to Madrid, with Thomalla likely by his side, the tennis world buzzes with anticipation. Can this birthday triumph spark a clay-court resurgence? For now, Zverev and Thomalla savor a victory that was as much about love and support as it was about tennis.