Tim Henman has strong warning for Alexander Zverev after his defeat to Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals

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Alexander Zverev’s perfect week in Turin came to an end as Taylor Fritz won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 to advance to the final of the ATP Finals.

Zverev had won his opening three matches at the ATP Finals without dropping a set, looking like a strong favorite for the title.

The German began with a win against Andrey Rublev, before Zverev beat Casper Ruud in his second outing, leaving him a win away from the semi-finals.

A tough test against the Spanish world number three was up next, but Zverev comfortably beat Alcaraz to advance to the last four in Turin.

Zverev was rewarded with a tough matchup against Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, a man who has had the better of him in recent times.

Fritz took down Zverev at the US Open earlier this year, having beaten him at Wimbledon a few months prior.

The 27-year-old German was looking to get one over on Fritz in Turin, but it didn’t quite work out that way.

Tim Henman says Alexander Zverev must be more ‘aggressive’ if he wants to win a Grand Slam

Speaking to Sky Sports following Zverev’s defeat to Fritz at the ATP Finals, Tim Henman challenged the German for being too passive.

“It’s still the question mark that is going to be thrown at Sacha [Alexander] Zverev,” he said.

“I think that’s when you have to step up in the best and biggest moments.

“That’s where Zverev has been impressive but there were a few moments where I didn’t think he took that forward step.

“That was the opportunity to really take a few balls on and be aggressive but on a couple of occasions he sat back.

“He got a little bit passive on forehand in the tiebreak and there were a couple of unforced errors.

“That was the difference.”

The former world number four went on to question whether Zverev will ever get it done on the big occasion.

“I don’t think that is something that Zverev didn’t know already but how is he going to make that step?” said Henman.

“I think that is the challenge.

“I have bigged him up and said that he can win a slam.

“If he plays like that he won’t win a slam.”

Henman’s Sky Sports colleague Laura Robson, also took issue with Zverev’s performance.

“Zverev was getting tight, he kind of broke down,” she said.

“The weakness that has always been there came into play, so Fritz was able to capitalize on that straight away and managed to sneak it out.”

Can Alexander Zverev reach world number one in 2025?

Listening to Henman and Robson, you wouldn’t think 2025 has too much in store for Zverev, but tennis is a fickle sport, and fans were talking up Zverev as a genuine contender to Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner before his defeat to Fritz.

Currently ranked number two in the world, is it that unrealistic to suggest that the German could rise all the way to number one in the new year?

Zverev currently trails Sinner by over 3000 points, a number that could grow should Sinner beat Ruud later on Saturday.

The Italian does however have 2000 points to defend at January’s Australian Open, gifting Zverev a golden opportunity to close the gap dramatically with a title.

It does realistically seem more likely that the German will be looking over his shoulder than ahead, as Alcaraz has very few points to defend in Melbourne and will be looking to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

It has been a good year regardless for Zverev, and he will be looking ahead to the 2025 season with excitement, hoping to finally get his hands on a Major trophy.