What to Know About Alexander Zverev's Parents Irina and Alexander Zverev Sr.

NEED TO KNOW

• Alexander Zverev's parents are former professional tennis players Irina and Alexander Sr.
• The athlete is the younger brother of former professional tennis player, Mikhail "Mischa" Zverev
• Both Irina and Alexander Sr. coached their sons

Alexander Zverev comes from a family of professional tennis players.

He was born in Germany to Russian parents Irina and Alexander Zverev Sr. The pair were raised in the Soviet Union and played tennis professionally there before moving to Germany.

Then, Irina and Alexander Sr. transitioned from players to tennis instructors. The couple welcomed son Mikhail, who they call Mischa, in 1987 and later Alexander, who they call Sascha, 10 years later in 1997.

Both Irina and Alexander Sr. coached their sons, but Irina spent most of her time with Alexander, while Alexander Sr. focused on Mischa. Alexander has previously credited both of his parents for helping him rise in the tennis ranks.

Alexander is a father, himself, as he shares a daughter with his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea. In 2023, Patea accused Alexander of physically abusing her, The Athletic reported. Prior to those claims, another of Alexander's ex-girlfriends, Olya Sharypova, alleged that he abused her throughout 2019. Alexander has denied both domestic violence allegations.

Here's everything to know about Alexander Zverev's parents, Irina Zverev and Alexander Zverev Sr.

Irina and Alexander Sr. met through tennis in the Soviet Union before moving to Germany

Irina and Alexander Sr. were both born and raised in Sochi, Russia. They both played tennis for the Soviet Union and got married when she was 17 years old, and he was 24, per The Telegraph.

After getting married, they moved to Moscow and continued competing in tennis tournaments. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, the couple relocated to Germany with their then-4-year-old son Mischa after they were offered coaching jobs at the Uhlenhorster Hockey Club in Hamburg.

Irina and Alexander Sr. went on to raise both of their sons there, and they later became German citizens, per The Economist.

Both of his parents were accomplished tennis players

Before Irina and Alexander Sr. coached several tennis players — including their own sons — they both had successful careers as players.

Irina went on to be ranked fourth in the Soviet Union and became known for her one-handed backhand. She competed in the 1990 Moscow Open and later played a handful of tournaments in Germany after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Meanwhile, Alexander Sr., who was praised for his slow and strategic gameplay, reached his career-high world ranking at No. 175 in 1985. He was a member of the Soviet Davis Cup team, competed in three Grand Slam tournaments: the 1985 Australian Open, 1986 Wimbledon Championships and 1986 French Open.

"My parents are very calm,” Alexander told The Economist. “They understand what I am doing, and they have both been playing pro tennis so they know how to behave."

Alexander Sr. and Irina share two sons

Irina and Alexander Sr. welcomed their first child, son Mischa, on Aug. 22, 1987, while they were still living in Moscow. They immigrated to Germany with Mischa, and he went on to represent Germany in tennis tournaments.

The family of three expanded when they welcomed their second son, Alexander, on April 20, 1997, in Hamburg.

Both Mischa and Alexander focused on playing tennis from a young age. Mischa, who retired in 2023, had a prolific tennis career and once ranked No. 25 in the world. He competed in the 2009 Italian Open, the 2016 Shanghai Masters and the 2017 Australian Open — where he beat Andy Murray.

Alexander previously shared that he grew up playing alongside his brother, rather than against him and that helped him become a better tennis player.

"There’s no rivalry, except when we play each other but that doesn’t happen very often," he told ITF Tennis in 2013. "It helps me a lot, because he’s been through it, he’s been through all the steps, and now he’s a professional."

He was coached by both his parents

While raising their kids, both Irina and Alexander Sr. coached their children.

"One day, when I was I think one year and five months old, I just picked up a little racket, and I was starting to push the ball all over our apartment, and since then they took me out on the court. I enjoy it still, I enjoyed it back then," Alexander told ITF Tennis.

Although they taught the boys together, Irina primarily focused on Alexander and Alexander Sr. zoned in on Mischa.

“My father is my coach, but when I was younger my mother was guiding me more. I think I have pretty good technique, which my mum did at a young age, so credit to her for that. My backhand, in particular, is 100 percent down to my mum," he told The Telegraph.

Alexander recalled how his mom taught him her signature backhand in a more relaxed manner, while his dad was more intense.

Read the original article on People