Alexander Zverev’s no-good time at Hamburg Open in full: From questions about participation to concerning illness
Alexander Zverev’s 2025 Hamburg Open campaign was a tumultuous affair, marked by a surprising last-minute participation, a shocking defeat, and a serious illness that derailed his French Open preparations. The world No. 3, a Hamburg native, initially criticized the tournament’s rescheduling to the week before Roland Garros, calling it a “stupid” idea on MagentaTV, arguing that top players aiming for the French Open would avoid it due to the tight timeline. Despite this, Zverev accepted a wildcard entry on May 16, 2025, a decision he described as “spontaneous” to recharge in his hometown after a quarterfinal loss to Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open.
Zverev started strongly, defeating American qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-1, 7-6(5) in the first round on May 19, showcasing his powerful serve with seven aces and 24 winners. However, his run ended abruptly in the round of 16 on May 21 against world No. 40 Alexandre Muller. The Frenchman capitalized on Zverev’s weakened state, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5) in a 2-hour-42-minute battle. Zverev’s 47 unforced errors and struggles in extended rallies highlighted his lackluster performance, which he later attributed to severe illness.[
Post-match, Zverev revealed he had been battling extreme sickness, having “thrown up 37 times” with a fever of 39.4°C (102.9°F) the night before, admitting he barely warmed up and only played due to the tournament’s significance in his hometown. He expressed pride in his resilience, stating, “I think there are two players in the world who would have taken to the court today. I’m one of them.” Fans on X expressed mixed sentiments, with some like @BigBadDenis questioning his decision to play while others praised his grit.[]
The loss disrupted Zverev’s French Open preparations, where he was a 2024 finalist, but he remained optimistic, noting the extra recovery time could benefit him. His participation, driven by a desire for “positive energy” in Hamburg, ended in disappointment, raising concerns about his health and form heading into Roland Garros.[
