Alexander Zverev shared a lighthearted moment with reporters at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after advancing to the fourth round, joking that his daughter, Mayla, was in the stadium but deliberately kept away from the cameras.
The German star smiled as he addressed a question about fatherhood during his post-match press conference, explaining that while Mayla was watching him compete, he was careful not to let her become part of the broadcast spotlight.
Alexander Zverev’s Daughter Mayla and Her Growing Presence on the Tennis Tour
Mayla, born on March 11, 2021, is the daughter of Zverev and his former partner Brenda Patea. Although their relationship ended before her birth and initially involved public disagreements regarding custody and involvement, the situation has gradually evolved into a more cooperative family dynamic.
In recent seasons, Mayla has become a familiar presence on the professional tour. She often travels with the Zverev family and has been spotted at tournaments such as the Australian Open and, more recently, at the Mexican Open in Acapulco, typically seated in the player’s box with Zverev’s mother, Irina Zvereva.
The presence of his daughter has become an important part of Zverev’s tour routine, and he has frequently said that fatherhood helps him maintain perspective amid the pressures of elite tennis. At the same time, he has taken legal steps to protect her privacy by preventing her face from being prominently shown on social media.
That protective approach was evident again after Zverev’s latest win in Indian Wells.
Playing his 10th tournament at the ATP Masters 1000 event and seeded fourth, Zverev received a first-round bye before defeating Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-4 in the second round. He followed that with a hard-fought 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4 victory over No. 28 seed Brandon Nakashima to reach the Round of 16.
How Did Zverev Respond When Reporters Asked About Mayla Watching His Match?
During the post-match press conference, a reporter asked whether Mayla was watching him on the stadium’s big screens. Zverev responded with a smile, revealing that she was indeed present but intentionally out of view. “She’s in the stadium, but higher,” he said. “I don’t show her to you guys,” he added, smiling.
In the fourth round, Zverev will take on either No. 15 seed Flavio Cobolli or No. 21 seed Frances Tiafoe. The German tennis star also partnered with Marcelo Melo for the doubles event, and the pair will take on Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sebastian Korda in the first round.
