In a dazzling display of skill and resilience, Alexander Zverev celebrated his 28th birthday on April 20, 2025, by clinching the BMW Open title in Munich, marking his third victory at the prestigious tournament. The world No. 3 German star delivered a masterclass on the clay courts, defeating American Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4 in a swift 71-minute final. This triumph, his 24th ATP Tour title and ninth on clay, not only electrified a capacity crowd that included Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller but also propelled Zverev back to the No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings, overtTakeing Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard’s loss in the Barcelona Open final.
Zverev’s performance was a testament to his dominance on home soil. The top seed was imperious on serve, not facing a single break point and winning 89% of his first-serve points. His precision was evident as he committed just seven unforced errors compared to Shelton’s 21, breaking the American’s serve three times to seal the victory. “It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany,” Zverev said, his voice brimming with pride. “It’s probably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.” The win marked a significant milestone, as Zverev became only the second man in the Open Era, alongside compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber, to claim three Munich titles, having previously won in 2017 and 2018.
The Munich Open, elevated to an ATP 500 event for 2025, provided the perfect stage for Zverev to end a challenging stretch. Since reaching the Australian Open final in January, where he fell to Jannik Sinner, Zverev had struggled, failing to advance beyond the quarterfinals in six consecutive tournaments. His early exit to Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo had raised concerns, but Munich saw a revitalized Zverev. “I believe we don’t have to talk about the past weeks,” he told reporters, a smile breaking through. “I am unbelievably happy with the title and the level I played at.” His journey to the final included a hard-fought semifinal win over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, 7-6(7/3), 6-3, where he noted feeling “calmer on the court” despite a shaky moment in the first set.
Shelton, the 22-year-old second seed ranked No. 15, was gracious in defeat. “I feel really blessed to play in front of you all on Easter Sunday, it’s really special for me,” he said during the trophy ceremony, unaware of Zverev’s birthday until after the match. “I would have liked to have said this is a birthday present, but I had no clue it was your birthday.” Zverev returned the praise, noting Shelton’s growing prowess: “He’s becoming one of the most dangerous players on every surface and it’s great to see.” Shelton’s run to the final, his fourth on the ATP Tour, saw him rise to No. 13 in the live rankings, though he couldn’t become the first American to win a clay final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi in 2002.
The victory netted Zverev €467,485 in prize money and an electric BMW, which he playfully drove for a lap after donning traditional Bavarian lederhosen. The 6,000-strong crowd, led by Bavarian premier Markus Söder, serenaded him with “Happy Birthday,” to which Zverev quipped, “You can all be happy that I didn’t have to sing.” The moment capped a week Zverev described as “one of the best you can have as a tennis player,” a sentiment echoed by the fans who roared their approval.
This win, Zverev’s sixth title on German soil, signals a timely return to form as the clay season intensifies. With the Madrid Open looming, where he claimed titles in 2018 and 2021, Zverev is poised to build on his momentum. His Munich performance showcased the blend of power and finesse that has made him a two-time ATP Finals champion and Olympic gold medalist. For Shelton, the defeat is a stepping stone in a promising career, while for Zverev, it’s a birthday gift that reaffirms his status as one of tennis’s elite. As the French Open approaches, Zverev’s Munich masterclass has set the stage for a thrilling clay-court campaign.