Success on the tennis court isn’t just about raw talent—it’s also about the coaching that shapes the talent. But when the coach happens to be a parent or a close family member, the dynamic can get tricky, as we’ve seen in a few high-profile cases recently. But for Alexander Zverev, the story is quite different. While others might find the balance between family and professional life challenging, Zverev seems to have found a rhythm that works.

The German tennis sensation has received the guidance of his father, Alexander Zverev, Sr., since a very young age. A former tennis player himself who represented the Soviet Union, Zverev’s father has been the key behind the rise in the ranking that the star player has witnessed. And, despite the professional relationship that they share, they have never witnessed testing times as far as their personal bonding is concerned.

Reflecting upon the cases of conflicts between star players and their parents who are also coaches, Zverev said, “That is not the case with us at all,” per Volksstimme. Continuing further, he reflected upon the relationship in detail. “We get along off the court the moment we leave it, and on the court, it is about training, about improving.”

The tennis star, who has received coaching from several other professionals during his career, has been under the guidance of his father again since he separated from Spaniard Sergi Bruguera in May 2023. But the secret behind this peaceful relationship is quite bizarre. Zverev said, “Off the court, I spend zero time with my father. We have enough of each other on the court.”

This also comes at a time when another top ATP star is witnessing a strained relationship with his father. Stefanos Tsitsipas was also trained by his father Apostolos until the Canadian Open. But soon after his first-round defeat at the tournament, the star player fired his coach aka father, and expressed his dissatisfaction over their partnership. “For me, an ATP Master 1000 match is an important match. I need and I deserve a coach that listens to me and hears my feedback as a player. My father hasn’t been very smart or very good at handling those situations,” he remarked during a press conference post his loss. 

Coming back to Zverev, this is not the first time that he has reflected on his bond with his family. He has often talked about it in the past too.

Alexander Zverev receives immense support from his family during tours

Alexander Zverev is gearing up for yet another Grand Slam quarterfinals at the US Open. He will soon take on Taylor Fritz at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. But amidst the challenges that lie ahead of him, he has always acknowledged the backing and the support he has received from his loved ones.

Speaking ahead of the final at the Hamburg Open this season, Zverev talked about his mother Irina Zvereva, and girlfriend Sophia Thomalla. Revealing his schedule, the star player said, “I sleep until 12.30 p.m. My mother or Sophia makes breakfast. I am not allowed into the kitchen. If I were, the house would no longer be standing afterward.”

As the US Open unfolds, Zverev will look to make his family proud and end the drought of a Grand Slam victory, as he faces Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final today at the Arthur Ashe stadium.