Alexander Zverev has become the first men’s champion from Germany at the Rothenbaum Tennis Complex since Michael Stich accomplished the feat in 1993. On Sunday afternoon, Zverev won the 2023 Hamburg European Open without dropping a set. The 26-year-old hometown hero defeated Laslo Djere of Serbia 7-5, 6-3.

Under a closed roof and in front of a sold-out-crowd with 10,000 spectators on Center Court, Zverev showed a moment of brilliance with a great lob to clinch an intriguing first set. The No. 4 seed of the ATP 500 event continued to deliver a high-class display when he gained the decisive break in the eighth game of the second set to earn a 5-3 lead. Zverev won 55 per cent of the total points played to succeed in one hour and 50 minutes.

Hometown hero

“This title means a lot to me, winning the tournament, where I was born. It’s a very emotional moment for me as well as for my family. It’s also emotional because of the last year and a half that I had. It wasn’t easy. I can’t describe it in words. I’m just super happy right now,” said Zverev, who sustained a serious ankle injury during his 2022 Roland Garros semi-final with Rafael Nadal.

Lifting his 20th tour-level career trophy has boosted Zverev’s hopes of qualifying for the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals. “Being number nine in the race, that’s great. If I am able to play in Turin this year, that’ll be a great achievement after the injury,” Zverev said.

The World No. 19 Zverev pocketed €342,500 in prize money as well as 500 ATP Ranking points.

“Krapütz” triumph in doubles

Earlier, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz captured the Hamburg European Open doubles title. The No. 3 seeds defeated fourth-seeded Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 7-6(4), 6-3 in the final. The German duo, who first teamed up at 2017 Hamburg and have compiled a 33-12 tour-level win-loss record, claimed their first team title.

“The atmosphere was great today. We got a lot of support from the spectators. Winning our first title together here at this beautiful tournament in front of our families is something special,” said Pütz.

Krawietz added: “We played two great weeks together and are more solid in tight situations on the court. It’s getting better and better.”

Krawietz and Pütz are the first German doubles champions at the Rothenbaum Tennis Complex since 1974. The pair split €112,500 in prize money and earned 500 ATP Doubles Ranking points.