Zverev, Shelton Embrace Munich Tennis and Culture Amid Challenges

MUNICH, Germany — Alexander Zverev, the top seed at the BMW Open, expressed optimism about recovering his form as he prepares for the ATP 500 tournament leading up to Roland Garros. The event, held on Saturday, drew hundreds of enthusiastic fans eager to see Zverev practice at the newly upgraded venue.

The 26-year-old German was pleased with the upgrades to the tournament, including the installation of a temporary Center Court and plans for a permanent version with a retractable roof. After practicing, he described the venue as “very beautiful” and acknowledged the importance of these improvements for both the tournament’s reputation and future.

“It’s great to see that Munich is constantly developing, the facilities and the tournament itself,” Zverev said. Previously, he had claimed victory at the BMW Open in 2017 and 2018, but his recent performance has been a source of concern. Since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, Zverev has only secured six match victories, leading to his anticipated drop to the world No. 3 position behind Carlos Alcaraz.

Reflecting on his struggles, Zverev candidly admitted, “Of course I haven’t played particularly well. I lost to a lot of guys that I should have beaten. I still believe I can play well on the big stage. That said, I haven’t forgotten how to do it. The last few weeks have been a bit more difficult, but I’m still confident that I will play well now and hopefully in the next few weeks.”

Competition amongst his peers has also seen fluctuations, with both world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic experiencing their own setbacks recently. Zverev remarked on Alcaraz’s recent performance, expressing, “Alcaraz is now in the final of Monte Carlo. That’s a step forward for him… I think Carlos is out of his phase now, I think.”

As Zverev prepares for the matches ahead, he emphasized the importance of mental resilience. “I think I will get out of my phase soon too. I feel like I’m starting to play better and better. I think I need to win one or two close matches to regain my rhythm. I still have faith in myself that I will start playing really good tennis by the time Paris comes around, and that Paris will still be the main focus.”

His approach to the season shifted when he decided to play the Golden Swing in Latin America immediately after the Australian Open. In hindsight, Zverev recognized the challenges this presented. “I made that decision six or seven months before, and it wasn’t the smartest decision to play in South America a week after the Australian Open on a different surface,” he acknowledged.

Zverev’s remarks highlight the importance of adaptability and learning from experience. Despite challenges, he remains focused on utilizing his local support to fuel his drive at the BMW Open.

Meanwhile, American player Ben Shelton also debuted at the BMW Open, joining the excitement of the event and immersing himself in local culture. After winning his opening match, Shelton attended a Bundesliga game at Allianz Arena, catching the suspenseful matchup between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

“It was my first professional football game in Europe, and the atmosphere was crazy! I was upset that it ended in a tie when Bayern was up 2-1. But I was happy to just be there, feel the energy,” Shelton shared. Embracing the local culture, he noted his appreciation for German football and his anticipation to discover local cuisine.

As he adjusts to clay courts this season, Shelton remarked on the distinct playing conditions compared to the United States. Observing the differences, he stated, “When it’s hot in the United States… the clay gets really dry. Here you have cooler conditions. The water doesn’t evaporate as fast, so the play is a little bit heavier, a little slower.”

Further adapting to the European tour, Shelton is teaming up with veteran doubles player Rohan Bopanna, the oldest first-time world number one. “There’s a lot of things to learn from someone like that who’s had so much success and been on tour for so long. For me, it’s just cool to be able to be around him,” Shelton expressed.

The growing familiarity with the Munich event and local culture appears to be a promising start for Zverev and Shelton as they embark on their respective challenges at the BMW Open.