Alexander Zverev’s 2025 Hamburg Open campaign was a dramatic saga, overshadowed by a severe illness that led to a shocking second-round exit against Alexandre Muller on May 21, 2025. The world No. 3, a Hamburg native, initially criticized the tournament’s rescheduling to the week before the French Open, calling it “stupid” on MagentaTV due to its clash with Roland Garros preparations. Despite his reservations, Zverev made a last-minute decision to accept a wildcard entry, seeking to recharge in his hometown after a quarterfinal loss to Lorenzo Musetti at the Italian Open. His participation, described as “spontaneous,” reflected his emotional connection to the event, but it quickly unraveled due to health issues.
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 condition deteriorated drastically before facing Muller, ranked No. 40. In a post-match press conference reported by Tennis.com, Zverev revealed he had “thrown up 37 times” and battled a fever of 39.4°C (102.9°F) the night before, barely managing a warm-up. “I think there are two players in the world who would have taken to the court today. I’m one of them,” he said, expressing pride in his resilience despite the 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5) loss in a 2-hour-42-minute battle.
Muller capitalized on Zverev’s weakened state, extending rallies to exploit his 47 unforced errors and faltering movement, securing his first top-5 win. Zverev’s decision to play, driven by the tournament’s significance in Hamburg, drew mixed reactions. Fans on X, like @BigBadDenis, questioned the wisdom of competing while ill, while others, including @TennisFanatic12, praised his grit, noting, “Zverev’s heart for Hamburg is unreal.” John Isner, commenting on the *Nothing Major* podcast, expressed surprise at Zverev’s participation, calling it a “gamble” that disrupted his French Open prep.
Zverev remained optimistic, viewing the early exit as a chance to recover before Roland Garros, where he was a 2024 finalist. His illness and defeat underscored the risks of his last-minute entry, but his determination to honor his hometown highlighted his character. As he heads to Paris, Zverev’s health and form remain critical concerns for his Grand Slam ambitions.
