Alexander Zverev explains eye-catching routine he and his glamorous partner go through before his matches after being caught on camera at the Australian Open
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Alexander Zverev has sheepishly explained the secret handshake he has been sharing his with partner Sophia Thomalla at the Australian Open after it captured the attention of tennis fans. Second-seeded Zverev, chasing an elusive maiden grand slam title, prevailed against Tommy Paul 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1 on Tuesday during his grand slam quarter final.
![[The German player and his girlfriend Sophia Thomalla (pictured) have been together for three and a half years]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/01/94373097-14311135-The_German_player_shared_and_his_girlfriend_have_been_together_f-a-72_1737509689908.jpg)
Zverev was questioned afterwards by tennis great turned commentator Jim Courier about a ritual handshake he was caught doing with his girlfriend in the players' area before matches. Courier embarrassed the tennis star by replaying the clip to the delighted crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
![[Thomalla is a model, actress and television presenter who has also starred in several TV dramas in Germany]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/01/94373101-14311135-Sophia_Thomalla_is_a_model_actress_and_television_presenter-a-73_1737509690653.jpg)
'What are you doing to me? I just played for four hours... I mean, we have been together for three and a half years now,' grinned the 27-year-old. 'Look, man, you got to understand we are German, this is the coolest version of German that you can be. Alexander Zverev was questioned about the secret handshake he was caught doing with his with partner Sophia Thomalla before his matches at the Australian Open.
![[Zverev will next face Novak Djokovic in his third Melbourne Park semi-final]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/01/94373201-14311135-Zverev_will_next_face_Novak_Djokovic_in_his_third_Melbourne_Park-a-74_1737509690794.jpg)
Alexander Zverev giving couple goals...Mood of Zverev fans right now : pic.twitter.com/HcpP3GhghO. 'This is the top of German coolness, it does not go any further than that. We did it, we did it well.'. Courier replied: 'I've been married for 14 years, my wife and I don't have a handshake, we've got to get going.'.
He will next face 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in his third Melbourne Park semi-final. Tennis's biggest unfulfilled talent, with two grand slam final losses to his name, Zverev won the first set in a tiebreak, fighting back after Paul served for the set at 6-5.
