Brenda Patea and Sophie Thomalla's Rossdale link predated Zverev
brenda patea is back in the frame because Sophie Thomalla’s relationship history now includes Gavin Rossdale before Alexander Zverev. The detail adds a cleaner timeline to a pair of public romances that have been followed as much for who was involved as for the tennis or music around them.
Rossdale and Thomalla were spotted kissing before they eventually confirmed the relationship on Instagram, and the pairing lasted about a year before ending. A friend described them this way: “They’re friends, introduced by a mutual friend.”
Rossdale Before Zverev
Gavin Rossdale was Gwen Stefani’s ex-husband, which is part of why Thomalla’s earlier relationship drew notice well before she became Alexander Zverev’s girlfriend. Thomalla is also a dating game presenter, so her private life has often landed in the same public lane as her work.
Thomalla later described herself as “extremely independent” in a Grazia interview and said, “All the men I had something with broke up with me because in the end they couldn't stand it anymore.” She added, “I could also imagine sleeping with a woman,” and, “Women are beautiful creatures and look much better naked than men do, don't they?”
Zverev and Thomalla
In December 2021, Zverev said, “I think for tennis players it is always very important who you have next to you. Sophia is someone who gives me peace and security,” and added, “I play extremely well with her behind me and I hope that will continue to be the case next year and maybe even better. I haven’t achieved all of my goals yet.”
Thomalla later posted, “Happy Birthday my love ❤️ Thank you for these 5 THRILLING years ??? #sleepingbeauty,” tying their relationship to a five-year run that has outlasted the Rossdale chapter. She was not in France when Zverev was in the French Open 2026 on June 5, but her mother still gave him a shout-out on Instagram.
June 5 and after
The useful takeaway for readers is the sequence: Rossdale first, Zverev later, and Thomalla has been direct about preferring independence over tidy tabloid narratives. For anyone tracking the Zverev camp, the birthday post and the family shout-out point to a relationship that remains publicly active even when she is not physically in France.
