In an unexpected turn of events, Alex Zverev's mother, Irina Zvereva, made an appearance at the grandstand during her son's opening match at the US Open. The 27-year-old tennis star was in the midst of a heated encounter with Maximilian Marterer, but her presence seemed to boost his morale. Despite a rocky second set, Zverev managed to secure a victory, marking his 53rd win of the year.
Zverev chuckled about his mother's unexpected visit, stating, "My mama's watched me play before, but she's not usually one for the box. When I dropped the second set, she bolted. I don't think she'll be taking a seat there again."
Marterer, a close friend and roommate from the Olympics, praised Zverev's game, saying, "He's incredibly fit. He could keep this up for another couple hours. He's got superb shot quality."
Looking ahead, Zverev's next challenge is Alexandre Muller from France in the second round. If he manages to overcome this hurdle, he could potentially face off against top seed Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. However, Zverev is cautious, understanding the importance of keeping his focus on his own game rather than getting ahead of himself.
Despite the potential of facing Djokovic, Zverev isn't one to hold back when it comes to supporting his loved ones. He granted an exemption for his mother, allowing her to skip the stands during the second round. "My mama can act as she sees fit," he quipped, reiterating his belief that mothers will always be mothers, no matter where they are.
During matches, Irina Zvereva is often seen taking her dog for walks around the court and stays in touch with her own mother via phone calls. However, during Zverev's match against Marterer, she decided to make an exception and joined the grandstand. The prospect of a semifinal clash against Djokovic looms over their potential confrontation.
As Zverev prepares for his upcoming matches, he remains focused on his strategy and avoiding the energy depletion and injuries that have hindered his performances in the past. And with the support of his loved ones, including his mother, he's more determined than ever to claim his first Grand Slam trophy.
