The reason is a sad one
That’s why Zverev’s grandma is now always at his games
June 7, 2026 – 11:09 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
In his fourth Grand Slam final, he should finally win his first title. Alexander Zverev has special support for this at the French Open.
When Alexander Zverev plays in the final of the French Open this Sunday (3 p.m. in the t-online live ticker) and wants to win his first Grand Slam title, his grandmother will also be keeping her fingers crossed from the stands. Grandma Natalia has recently started regularly sitting in her grandson’s player box at tournaments.
She has already taken part in the clay court events in Monte Carlo, Munich and Rome, and now also in Roland Garros. However, the reason that she is now there more often is a sad one, as Zverev revealed in the days in Paris: “Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away. That’s when we brought her in,” said the 29-year-old at a press conference. Traveling is not that easy for Natalia. Zverev: “It’s relatively difficult at the moment because she has a Russian passport. That took a little longer. Now she has a visa and is traveling with us a bit.”
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And further: “She has little to do in her homeland, in Sochi, and tries to stay with us as much as possible. My grandmother is currently enjoying life a little, enjoying her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.”
Zverev’s grandma Natalia: “What could be nicer?”
The 78-year-old said to “Bild”: “I’m so happy that I can see Sascha (nickname for Alexander in Russian, editor) play at a Grand Slam.” Natalia is the mother of Alexander’s mom Irina. She, on the other hand, is not excited in the stands. Because she is too excited and nervous, Irina usually goes for a walk during the matches. Her husband Alexander Senior is Alexander’s trainer. The eldest son Misha (39) acts as his brother’s manager.