"He is very far from the mark," says Henman about Zverev after his elimination from the ATP Finals
Following Alexander Zverev's group stage exit at the ATP Finals in Turin, Tim Henman assessed the German's season, and the verdict is unequivocal.
Zverev left the Masters at the group stage, losing for the second consecutive time. After falling to Jannik Sinner, the world number 3 could not make the difference against Félix Auger-Aliassime (6-4, 7-6).
The player who had missed seven break points against the Italian confirmed his difficulties on return against the Canadian, failing to find the solution despite four opportunities in this match. As a consultant for British television, Tim Henman analyzed Zverev's tournament and overall season.
"We feel for Zverev. I believe he had eleven break opportunities in his last two matches and he didn't manage to break his opponents' serve. He created chances for himself, but couldn't convert them. It's incredible to think that twelve months ago, when we were watching Zverev play, I was the one who said he could win a Grand Slam.
He then reached the final of the Australian Open, and now, when I see a performance like this one, he seems lost to me. I don't see a strategy. His serve is phenomenal and allows him to stay in matches, but from the back of the court, his forehand seems vulnerable, he's moving backwards.
He is very far from the mark and, for someone who is a very, very good player, I look at his game and I'm surprised he plays a match like this one (against Auger-Aliassime). He has the experience, he's been around for a long time and I think he needs to take a step back and reinvent himself.
He really needs to analyze his game and use his weapons more effectively. His serve is very good, but he needs to figure out how to make it more effective. He stays at the back of the court hoping his opponents make unforced errors, but at this level, that doesn't work.
Sascha (Zverev) is world number 3, but I don't think his game is evolving in the right direction. I don't know what the role of his father and brother is, but he needs a new impetus. It's a sad way for Zverev to end the year.
He finished in third place, he reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament, but this could be the catalyst that allows him to take a step back and tell himself that this is not how he wants to play tennis and that it is necessary to change course," Henman told Tennis365.
Zverev, Alexander
Auger-Aliassime, Felix
Turin