Germany's talented youngster will line up at ATP World Tour Finals in London this November
Saturday 21 October 2017 17:59, UK
Alexander Zverev "must slow down" if he is to become a future Grand Slam champion, believes tennis legend Henri Leconte.
Zverev has enjoyed a superb season - winning two titles including Masters tournaments in Rome and Montreal - and climbing to No 4 in the rankings.
The 20-year-old German has also qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 for the first time becoming the youngest player to compete at the season-ending tournament since Juan Martin del Potro in 2008.
But Zverev despite impressing on the tour, Zverev failed to make any impact during the Grand Slams, with a run to the last 16 of Wimbledon his best effort.
It's takes time, don't rush, be yourself
Leconte says the youngster wants everything to quickly and has "put too much pressure on himself".
"He has a great future and everybody is expecting him to win a Grand Slam tournament. But he has put a lot of pressure on himself - he has to slow down a little bit," said Frenchman Leconte.
"He has to try and enjoy it and really have fun. He has to really prepare himself - that's the way the game is now. But sometimes it's important to release everything and enjoy the moment.
"When you try and do too much, like the horses; you're running, running and running, and you don't look around.
"He has great potential, but he's tough on himself - he's always pushing. If you're like that then it can be dangerous because you can pick up injuries.
"He has more pressure because people see him as a future world No 1. It takes time, don't rush, be yourself."
Sky Sports will have all the action from the Erste Bank Open in Vienna and Swiss Indoors Basel before the Paris Masters.
The Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan and season-ending extravaganza World Tour Finals at London's O2 in November end another memorable year which will be covered via our website www.skysports.com/tennis with live blogs and updates as the season reaches its climax.
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