"Make us wet as much as you want" - Alexander Zverev's girlfriend Sophia Thomalla on German's champagne spraying after first title in 2 years
Alexander Zverev got past Laslo Djere of Serbia 7-5, 6-3 in the final of the 2023 Hamburg European Open on July 30, to register his first title since the 2021 ATP Finals.
Zverev, who suffered an agonizing ankle injury during the course of the French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal last year, returned to action at the beginning of the 2023 season. After a mixed bag of results the 26-year-old finally lifted his 20th title on tour on Sunday, putting to an end the two-match losing streak he had in finals.
Zverev is the first German player to win the Hamburg title since Micheal Stitch in 1993. The remarkable triumph was lauded by his girlfriend Sophia Thomalla on social media.
The German actress, who looked ecstatic after Zverev's win, took to Instagram to post images of the trophy ceremony at Hamburg, where she was in attendance in person.
"I knew it. But, as long as he wins. Make us wet as much as you want," she captioned the image after Zverev decided to drench his supporters with champagne.
Alexander Zverev now stands a chance to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals, having risen three spots to be perched at the No. 9 spot in the Race to Turin. Zverev did not drop a single set in Hamburg and also clinched a third career win against Djere in the process.
"At the end of the day, this is my home" - Alexander Zverev after joyful return to form on home turf
Alexander Zverev's title, coming as it did following a horrific on-court injury and a subsequent layoff, signalled his return to the top echelons of the tennis world. The icing on the cake, however, was the fact that Zverev emerged victorious in the city of his birth, much to the delight of his German supporters.
The former World No. 2 ackowledged as much after the win, referring to Hamburg as the place where he grew up and started playing tennis. Revealing that he was "super happy" after the incredible comeback win, Zverev was unable to hide his emotions in front of a jubilant crowd.
“At the end of the day, this is my home, this is where I grew up, and this where I started playing tennis. It was incredible for me, incredibly emotional. I can’t describe it in words, I’m just super happy right now," said a jubilant Alexander Zverev after the final.
The tournament win, which was his first after 18 months, prompted the 2020 US Open finalist to declare that the victory felt like his first-ever title win.
“It’s almost like a first again. It’s such a long time, 18 months, and I’m just super happy right now,” he added after the match.