"I want to appreciate this guy" - Alexander Zverev's girlfriend Sophia Thomalla gushes over German star, shares adorable picture

Alexander Zverev's girlfriend Sophia Thomalla recently shared a romantic picture of the duo kissing on what appears to be the sidelines of an award ceremony.

In the caption of the picture, shared on International Women's Day, Thomalla was appreciative of Zverev.

"I can do whatever I want on an international women’s day. And I want to appreciate this guy," she wrote on Instagram.

The photo garnered plenty of likes and comments, with Thomalla's mother, German actress Simone Thomalla, also commenting.

"❤️❤️❤️ that's what it looks like !!!," she wrote.

Alexander Zverev is currently gearing up to play at the Indian Wells Masters, where he is the 12th seed.

Alexander Zverev happy with progress after comeback

Alexander Zverev at the Dubai Tennis Championships. (PC: Getty Images)

Alexander Zverev, currently ranked No. 14 in the world, is happy with the way he has progressed since returning from a serious ankle injury he suffered at the French Open last year.

Dealing with the injury was a painful affair for the German, who referred to it as a "tough period."

"Obviously I didn't. Not only did I not win, I basically broke everything that I can in my ankle. So it was, yeah, a tough period. But after an injury like that, I'm happy where I'm standing right now. I'm getting back. I'm playing some decent tennis this week. Hopefully this will continue," he said at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Zverev rolled his ankle while attempting a forehand in the semifinals against Rafael Nadal and immediately fell to the ground in pain. He was taken off in a wheelchair and eventually retired from the match.

The 25-year-old said he genuinely believed he could win his maiden Grand Slam title before the unfortunate injury struck.

"I think 2021, the last six months of the season, was one of the best tennis that I ever played. I lost three or four matches I think in six months. Yeah, that was a special time for me in a way," Zverev said.

"But last year during the French Open was the first time in my life where I went into matches, I went into the [Carlos] Alcaraz match, the Nadal match as well, and I thought I can win the French Open and I'm going to win the French Open," he added.

Zverev will be up against Argentina's Pedro Cachin, ranked 66, in his opening match at Indian Wells.