]Alexander Zverev celebrated his 28th birthday in unforgettable style by clinching his third BMW Open title in Munich. With the victory, the World No. 3 joined a rare group of players to win an ATP title on their birthday since the tour’s inception in 1990.
Zverev becomes just the fifth man to achieve this unique feat, joining tennis legends Boris Becker, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Andy Murray, and Andrey Rublev.
Winning a title is always special, but doing so on your birthday adds an extra layer of significance. For Zverev, the triumph marked his first ATP title since the 2024 Paris Masters—making it a double celebration.
Here’s a look at the exclusive club:
- Boris Becker – 1992 ATP Finals (25th birthday)
- Yevgeny Kafelnikov – 2001 Marseille (27th birthday)
- Andy Murray – 2016 Rome Masters (29th birthday)
- Andrey Rublev – 2019 Moscow (22nd birthday)
- Alexander Zverev – 2025 Munich (28th birthday)
The Road to the Title
Zverev’s path to the title wasn’t smooth. He was on the brink of elimination in the quarterfinals, trailing 7-6, 5-3 against Tallon Griekspoor. But the German mounted a gutsy comeback, eventually prevailing in a marathon match that lasted over three hours.
In the final, Zverev delivered a masterclass against American Ben Shelton, winning 6-2, 6-4 in just 71 minutes. The German dominated with his serve—landing 77% of first serves and not facing a single break point.
Zverev broke Shelton three times and won 40% of return points, showcasing his command from the baseline. He capitalized on Shelton’s 21 unforced errors and held a commanding 28-12 edge in baseline points.
Match Highlights
- First Set: Zverev broke Shelton in the opening game after a double fault and held comfortably throughout. He sealed the set 6-2 in under half an hour.
- Second Set: An early break gave Zverev the edge. Shelton fought back but couldn’t break through the German’s solid defense. Zverev closed out the match with a drop shot winner and a volley on match point.
Zverev’s win also marks his 24th career ATP title and continues to solidify his reputation as one of the tour’s elite on clay courts.
