Munich: Where Zverev Made A Dream Come True

One of Alexander Zverev’s dreams was to win an ATP Tour title on home soil in Germany. That makes the BMW Open by FWU a tournament he will never forget.

In 2016, at the age of 19, Zverev made the Halle final, but was unable to break through in front of his home fans.

“It was a positive week,” said Zverev. “I played really good tennis in all my matches… Unfortunately, it had to end like this. But it happens. This is tennis. You can’t change it now.”

Instead of dwelling on his near miss, Zverev focussed on the opportunities ahead. At 2017 Munich, Zverev would not let such an opportunity slip. He’d long enjoyed success at the ATP 250, where he won his first match just after turning 18.

In the quarter-finals, Zverev needed to battle through a third-set tie-break against countryman Jan-Lennard Struff. Zverev did not look back from there, defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-5 in the semi-finals and Guido Pella 6-4, 6-3 in the final to lift the trophy.

“I lost the final in Halle last year [to Florian Mayer], which was very painful. I really wanted to win a tournament in Germany, which I’ve done now and I’m very happy about it,” Zverev said. “[It is] my first title on clay as well. It’s a great feeling right now.”

Zverev won his second consecutive Munich title in 2018, defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-3 in the championship match. Kohlschreiber holds the record for most Munich titles with three.

“I am obviously very happy with how I played,” said Zverev. “[I am] very happy to get back-to-back titles here [in Munich]. It is a very special event for me so I am very happy that I could defend my title.”

By retaining the crown, Zverev became the third man to win consecutive BMW Open by FWU trophies. Only Argentines Guillermo Perez-Roldan and Franco Squillari had previously won successive Munich titles.

Did You Know?
Zverev is 13-4 in Munich, and it is the only German city where he has won an ATP Tour title.