“It’s almost like a first title again!” Zverev the champion in hometown Hamburg

Alexander Zverev ended a 30-year wait for a German winner in Hamburg

July 30, 2023

Alexander Zverev became the first German man to win the title in Hamburg since Michael Stich in 1993.

After ending a four-match losing streak in tour-level semi-finals this year with a win over Arthur Fils yesterday, he defeated Laslo Djere 7-5, 6-3 to take the crown without losing a set – the fifth man to do so this year (following Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells and Barcelona, Frances Tiafoe in Houston, Jannik Sinner in Montpellier, and Daniil Medvedev in Dubai).

The German burst into tears after sealing championship point, evidently moved by winning in his hometown – his first title since the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals, his 20th overall, and proof that he is back towards his best after the ankle injury he suffered at Roland-Garros last year.

Happy Homecoming! 👏@AlexZverev defeats Djere 7–5 6-3 to clinch the Hamburg title#hamburgopen pic.twitter.com/S2U6j3wduA
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 30, 2023

“This is my home, this is where I grew up, this is where I started playing tennis,” Zverev told television interviewers afterwards. “It was incredible for me, incredibly emotional. I can’t describe it in words – I’m just super-happy right now.”

He added: “It’s almost like a first [title] again because it’s been such a long time – 18 months.”

In a match lasting one hour and 50 minutes, Zverev hit 22 winners and 13 unforced errors, compared to his opponent’s 17 winners and 18 unforced errors, and took three of his four break point opportunities.

Djere will be disappointed with his failure to take any of his four break point chances in the first set as he sought to get his third win over a top 20 player in 2023.