On a sun-drenched Sunday in Munich, April 20, 2025, Alexander Zverev marked his 28th birthday with a masterclass performance, clinching his third BMW Open title with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over American rising star Ben Shelton. The top-seeded German, cheered on by a raucous home crowd that included Bayern Munich football icon Thomas Müller, delivered a near-flawless display on the clay courts, cementing his status as one of Germany’s tennis greats. “It’s extremely special,” Zverev said, his face beaming as he hoisted the trophy. “I always love winning tournaments in Germany. It’s probably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.”
The final, the first clash of the top two seeds in Munich since 2010, was a showcase of Zverev’s clay-court prowess. Unbroken throughout the 71-minute match, he didn’t face a single break point, winning 89% of his first-serve points and committing just seven unforced errors compared to Shelton’s 21. From the outset, Zverev seized control, capitalizing on Shelton’s nerves as the American double-faulted on break points in the first and seventh games of the opening set. “I definitely knew I had to play my best tennis today,” Zverev noted, acknowledging Shelton’s dangerous form. “Ben has been playing extremely well this week. The conditions suit him extremely well—it’s very hot and very fast. They suit me as well, to be fair.”
Shelton, the 22-year-old second seed, was chasing history as the first American to win a clay final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi’s 2002 Rome triumph. Despite reaching his fourth career final and climbing to No. 13 in the live rankings, he struggled to find rhythm against Zverev’s relentless baseline game. “I feel really blessed to play in front of you all on Easter Sunday, it’s really special for me,” Shelton said during the trophy ceremony, his sportsmanship shining through. “Happy Birthday, Sascha. I didn’t know it was your birthday. If I did, I would have said it was a birthday gift. I was trying as hard as I could to return your serves today, but I couldn’t make it work.” Zverev returned the praise, noting, “Ben is becoming one of the most dangerous players on every surface, and it’s great to see.”
This victory, Zverev’s 24th ATP title and sixth at the ATP 500 level, marked a triumphant return to form after a challenging season. Following a third Grand Slam final loss to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January, Zverev had endured a 6-6 record in his last 12 matches, with early exits in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo. “It’s been a difficult few months,” he admitted, crediting the Munich fans for his resurgence. “Without you, I would already be out. On Friday, I was almost out, but now I’m standing here with the trophy.” His quarterfinal comeback against Tallon Griekspoor, where he rallied from a set down, underscored his resilience.
The win also carried significant ranking implications. With Carlos Alcaraz’s loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final on the same day, Zverev ascended to world No. 2, a position he last held in 2022. Equalling Philipp Kohlschreiber’s record of three Munich titles, Zverev became the first German to win the event since its upgrade to ATP 500 status in 2025. The victory netted him nearly $570,000, a luxury BMW, and a pair of traditional Bavarian lederhosen, adding a festive touch to his birthday celebration.
For Shelton, the final was a milestone despite the defeat. His run to the Munich final, following a semifinal upset of Francisco Cerundolo, highlighted his growing comfort on clay. “Not everything is straightforward on clay,” Shelton had said earlier, reflecting on his adaptation to the surface. “Dealing with adversity and adapting makes a great clay-court player.” Posts on X echoed the sentiment, with fans praising his potential: “Shelton’s only 22 and already making waves on clay!”
As Zverev looks ahead to the Madrid Open, where he won in 2018 and 2021, his Munich triumph signals a renewed hunger. With the French Open looming, where he reached the final in 2024, this birthday victory could be the spark for a deep clay-court run. For now, Zverev savors a moment that blended personal milestone with professional glory, proving that home soil and a supportive crowd can make all the difference.