Alexander Zverev made his way to Acapulco once again, ready to begin his campaign at the 2026 Mexican Open. This marks the German’s return to one of the most important stops, where he saw career-defining highs and headline-making lows.
However, this year there is a slight more intrigue around his arrival, adding a personal layer as social media images show the world No. 4 accompanied by someone very close to him: his daughter, Mayla.
Alexander Zverev Touches Down in Acapulco with Daughter Mayla
Zverev arrived in Acapulco for the 2026 edition of the Mexico Open, an ATP 500 event that traditionally draws one of the strongest fields during the opening months of the tour. Photos and videos shared from the player hotel and tournament grounds capture him walking with bags over his shoulder, with a young girl in a pink tracksuit walking by his side.
The images show a personal side of the 28-year-old as he settles down in the Mexican city ahead of another demanding week.
That little girl is his daughter, Mayla, who has rarely been sighted around ATP tour events since her birth in March 2021. Young Mayla is now four years old and has grown up mostly away from the tennis spotlight, despite her father being one of the leading players on the ATP Tour.
Her mother is German model Brenda Patea, with whom Zverev was in a relationship for less than a year before the couple separated. Patea stated she would be raising her daughter herself, meaning Mayla would live with her in Germany, as the World No. 4’s schedule keeps him busy for much of the year.
Over time, however, Zverev has spoken about how important it is for him to be present in his daughter’s life, even while dealing with the demands of a professional tennis career. In an interview last year, he explained that becoming a father forced him to think more carefully about his behaviour on and off the court, stressing that he wants to be “a good example” for Mayla and to be remembered for his tennis and charitable work rather than his temper.
He also tied this shift to the work of his foundation, which supports children with Type 1 diabetes, a condition he has dealt with since childhood. Seeing Mayla beside him in Acapulco, walking through the venue, shows just how central she has become to the way he now frames his life and career.
Zverev’s On-Court Behavioral Changes and 2026 Season So Far
In 2022, Zverev was defaulted from the Mexican Open after smashing his racquet against the umpire’s chair at the end of a doubles match. The ATP labelled it as “unsportsmanlike conduct,” which he later described as “unacceptable.” The incident followed earlier incidents with officials that gave him a reputation as one of the tour’s most explosive competitors.
However, the same venue holds fond memories for Zverev, as he reached the Acapulco final in 2019, losing to Australian star Nick Kyrgios. He later emerged victorious in 2021 against Stefanos Tsitsipas, marking his biggest title since the 2018 ATP Finals. He also holds a doubles title in Acapulco, which he won alongside his brother Mischa in 2019, showcasing his dominance in Mexican conditions.
Zverev ended the 2025 season ranked world No. 3, despite physical issues that left him far short of his expectations. Earlier, he had climbed as high as No. 2 in the ATP rankings, reaching Grand Slam finals at the 2024 French Open and 2025 Australian Open.
So far, Zverev has competed at the 2026 Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in an absolute marathon. Following this finish, he lost his world No. 3 spot to the finalist and 24-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic, sending him out of the ATP top three.
Now, he is set to enter the ATP 500 tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 23, against the Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the Round of 32.
