Alexander Zverev is still expected to take the court at his hometown ATP tournament in Hamburg, despite recent comments that left fans and organizers scratching their heads. Tournament officials have confirmed that the German star has not withdrawn, with a spokesperson stating, "He hasn't cancelled his participation. We're assuming that he's playing."

Scheduled for May 17-23, the Hamburg event serves as a crucial warm-up for the French Open, which kicks off just days later on May 24. For players like Zverev, these tune-up tournaments are often pivotal for building momentum heading into a Grand Slam.

However, doubts emerged after Zverev's disappointing exit in the Rome Masters' round of 16 on Tuesday, where he fell to Luciano Darderi. Following the match, a visibly weary Zverev hinted that he might skip his home event to focus on recovery. "I'm also human, and I get sick sometimes," he said. "I've been playing a lot of tennis, so my immune system has probably taken a bit of a hit."

This isn't the first time Zverev has signaled a need for rest. The German has recently spoken openly about exhaustion and revealed he's considering a more selective schedule this season. "The main goal is to show the best tennis in Paris," he explained. "That's why I have to plan my strategy carefully."

If Zverev does decide to sit out Hamburg, it wouldn't be a shock—especially given his stated intention to take more breaks this year. For now, though, fans can still hope to see their hometown hero compete before he sets his sights on Roland Garros.