Sophia Thomalla has given Alexander Zverev a fresh bit of off-court support before Wimbledon, announcing on Instagram that the couple have welcomed another dog named Buba. It is a small personal detail, but it arrives at a significant moment for Alexander Zverev tennis player as he begins life as a Grand Slam champion and tries to turn that French Open breakthrough into real momentum on grass.
Zverev is back at Wimbledon as the No. 2 seed, and the timing matters. In Paris, he won his first career Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open, finally crossing the line at the biggest level after years of trying. Now the question is whether that confidence carries over to a tournament that has not always been as forgiving to him.
The pair’s relationship has long been a visible part of Zverev’s story. In April, they marked their 5th anniversary on his 29th birthday, and Thomalla has repeatedly shared her support on social media. After his win in Paris, she reposted the ATP Tour’s announcement on her Instagram Stories and later wrote: “No words will ever be enough for how proud I am of you. You dreamed it, worked hard for it, and now you’re a Grand Slam Champion.”
Why Wimbledon still asks a different question
For all the lift that comes from lifting the trophy at Roland Garros, Wimbledon has been a tougher puzzle. Zverev has spoken openly about feeling better this year and has said he is playing a lot better than in previous seasons at Wimbledon. He has also admitted that winning the French Open helps with confidence, describing it as the kind of thing every player would sign up for before arriving at the All England Club.
That is the key point here. Confidence can change a player’s mood, but it does not remove the demands of the surface or the pressure of the draw. Zverev has said this year feels like the tournament is only just getting started for him, which suggests a player who believes he can go deeper than in the past.
The Lehecka test arrives quickly
By July 6 at Wimbledon, Zverev was set to face Jiri Lehecka in the Round of 16 after defeating Marcox Giron in straight sets. He described Lehecka as a very tough challenge, praising his ability to hit through the court, serve big and take the ball early. In other words, this is not the kind of opponent who allows Zverev to settle into comfort.
That makes the Wimbledon storyline clear enough. Thomalla’s announcement of Buba is a light-hearted personal note before the match, but the tennis challenge is serious. If Zverev is going to back up his French Open triumph, he will need to show that the confidence, and the support around him, can travel with him all the way through the second week.
