Tim Henman predicts two new Grand Slam champions will be crowned in 2025
The 2025 tennis season has just kicked into gear and former British No 1 Tim Henman has predicted we will see two new Grand Slam champions this year.
After two decades of domination from the ‘Big 3’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, last year saw a new era dawn in the men’s game as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz shared the four major titles between them.
Sinner was crowned as player of the year after finishing the year as world No 1 and adding the ATP Finals title and Davis Cup crown to his collection after he guided Italy to success in thrilling fashion in Malaga.
Yet Henman has predicted Germany’s Alexander Zverev’s time to win a major will come in the next 12 months, with the world No 2 looking to make a leap to the next level of the game by clinching his first Grand Slam.
“In the context of his journey, for quite some time he was up against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and as they moved out of the game he might have felt… now it’s my time,” Henman told Sky Sports Tennis.
“But it’s not as Sinner and Alcaraz have overtaken him and that is the new benchmark, that is his new challenge
“2025 will be so interesting to see whether he can step up, be more aggressive and win one of the big ones.”
When asked to make his big prediction for the new season, Henman predicted first time winners in the men’s and women’s games as he backed Zverev and China’s Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng to shine.
“Zverev to win a Slam and Zheng to win a Slam,” declared Henman.
“Zheng is so important for the women’s game and that’s why the WTA Finals tour finale between Zheng and Coco Gauff in Riyadh was so special.
“Coco Gauff being from America and so popular against Zheng with all her fans in China. Bringing those two together in the WTA Final for what was an incredible match over three hours and 7-6 in the third. That’s a rivalry we would like to see more of.
“We were very fortunate to be able to sit courtside and yes you get to see her power and her ball striking and her speed, but let’s not forget her mentality. Her concentration is relentless. There is no let up.
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“There were a couple of bangs on her racket with her shoe but that emphasises what a perfectionist she is. She wants to play every point to the best of her abilities. You look at her game and she has engrained so many good habits.
“I still think she can play a bit closer to the baseline. Her preparation on her forehand is a little bit late, that’s where she can be rushed. I think that’s emphasised by playing a lot on clay, but her serve and the way she is hitting her spots really is a huge weapon.”
Henman’s fellow Sky Sports pundit Laura Robson also gave her verdict on Zheng, as she picked out the one key area of her game that she has stepped up over the last year.
“Her movement is out of this world and she is able to dominate with her forehand,” said Robson.
“The served she has changed a bit to make it more fluid and she wants it so badly. I really like listening to her saying she doesn’t want to make friends in the locker room and that’s okay because she is there to do one job and that’s win Slams. I love it. She’s honest, true to herself.”
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