**Alexander Zverev Steps Up for Hamburg Open**
Alexander Zverev, the World No. 2 and German tennis star, has accepted a wildcard to compete at the 2025 Bitpanda Hamburg Open (May 18–24), an ATP 500 event, following his quarter-final exit at the Italian Open on May 14. The decision comes as a boost for the tournament, which faced significant withdrawals, including from World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, among others. Zverev, born in Hamburg, expressed excitement about returning to his hometown event, stating, “I’m very happy to return to Hamburg. Everyone knows how much this place means to me. Hamburg is my birthplace, I started playing tennis here and also received a wildcard to play my first ATP tournament here.” His participation is a lifeline for the tournament, which moved to a pre-French Open slot in 2025, aiming to attract top players.
**Sinner and Musetti Lead Withdrawals**
Jannik Sinner, fresh off a semifinal run at the Italian Open, withdrew from Hamburg to manage his schedule ahead of the French Open (May 25–June 8). Sinner, who returned from a three-month doping suspension in Rome, has prioritized recovery after a grueling 11-0 start to the season, including a win over Casper Ruud. Lorenzo Musetti, ranked No. 9, also pulled out, likely due to fatigue after reaching the Rome semifinals, where he defeated Zverev 7-6(1), 6-4. Other notable withdrawals include Holger Rune, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, depleting the original entry list of eight top-20 players. Posts on X from TennisUpToDate on May 16 highlighted the “massive withdrawals,” underscoring Zverev’s timely commitment.
**Impact and Context**
Zverev’s wildcard acceptance ensures a marquee name for Hamburg, where he reached the 2024 final. His 13-4 clay record in 2025, including a Munich title, makes him a favorite, though his Rome loss to Musetti exposed vulnerabilities against varied shot-making. The Hamburg Open, with a 32-player draw, still features Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, and Francisco Cerundolo, but Zverev’s star power and local appeal are critical. Four wildcards, including one A+ slot, remain unallocated, potentially attracting late entries. For Zverev, Hamburg offers a chance to regain momentum before Roland Garros, where he was the 2024 runner-up.
