Alexander Zverev came close to tears on court as he ended a three-decade German title drought at the ATP Hamburg 500 event on Sunday with a 7-5, 6-3 defeat of Laslo Djere.
Hamburg-born Zverev became the first German to lift the title at the Rothenbaum Club since Michael Stich in 1993.
Victory – his first in a final since winning the ATP year-en Finals in 2021 – marked Zverev’s return after missing the second half of 2022 after a serious ankle injury suffered at Roland Garros.
The No. 19 now owns 20 career titles and played his last final at Madrid 15 months ago his last clay trophy came in 2021.
“At the end of the day, this is my home, this is where I grew up, and this is where I started playing tennis,” the delighted winner said.
“It was incredible for me, incredibly emotional. I can’t describe it in words, I’m just super happy right now.”
Zverev needed just under two hours for his victory, coming from break down in the second set and claiming victory as he sent a cross-court winner past his Serb opponent.
Zverev struck 22 winners and held his unforced errors to 13; he broke on three of his four chances.
The 57th-ranked Djere lost for the ninth time in 11 matches against Top 20 players this season.
“Sasha played amazing tennis,’ the runner-up said. “I’m about the result but it was regardless a great week for me.
“I played good tennis.”
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev celebrates as he wins Hamburg title © European Open
