The tennis world is abuzz with speculation following Alexander Zverev’s unexpected training stint at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where the world No. 3 was spotted under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal, the legendary coach behind 16 of Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles. The images, shared on Instagram by the academy on July 14, 2025, sparked rumors of a potential coaching shake-up for the German star, who has been reeling from a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon to Arthur Rinderknech. Tennis icon Boris Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has weighed in with enthusiasm, endorsing the possible collaboration but posing one critical question about its feasibility. “If Toni Nadal is indeed Alexander’s new coach, then he’s got it all,” Becker said on his podcast with Andrea Petkovic. “I find this combination very interesting. I hope it happens. The choice is excellent, but it will be a very tough Spanish school.”
Zverev’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. The 28-year-old reached the Australian Open final in January, falling to Jannik Sinner, and pushed Carlos Alcaraz to five sets in the 2024 French Open final. However, his form faltered with a quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4) and a devastating Wimbledon defeat, his earliest Major exit in six years. After Wimbledon, Zverev opened up about his mental struggles, admitting, “I feel very alone out there at times. I struggle mentally.” His withdrawal from the ATP 250 event in Gstaad to train in Mallorca signaled a deliberate reset, with Toni Nadal’s involvement hinting at a bold move to break his Grand Slam drought. Becker, who previously urged Zverev to overhaul his coaching team, sees this as a potential game-changer. “Toni knows how to win Grand Slams,” Becker emphasized. “He’s been there with Rafa, and that experience is invaluable.”
Zverev has been coached primarily by his father, Alexander Sr., with his brother Mischa as a key advisor. Past collaborations with high-profile coaches like Ivan Lendl, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and David Ferrer were short-lived, often overshadowed by his family’s influence. Becker previously criticized this dynamic, stating, “His father and brother did an excellent job, but it wasn’t good enough for the final step.” He pointed to Rafael Nadal’s career, where Toni Nadal stepped aside for Carlos Moya and Francisco Roig, as a model for evolution. “At some point, you need new noises and a new environment,” Becker noted, comparing it to football coaches who rarely stay with a club for a decade. The question Becker now raises is logistical: can Toni Nadal commit to the travel demands of Zverev’s schedule? “My phone has been ringing off the hook since yesterday,” Becker said, acknowledging the buzz. “But both have to confirm it first.”
The potential partnership is tantalizing. Toni Nadal’s disciplined, high-intensity “Spanish school” of tennis, honed at the Rafa Nadal Academy, could instill the mental toughness Zverev needs to cross the Grand Slam finish line. Becker also highlighted a possible mentorship role for Rafael Nadal, who retired in 2024. “When Rafael Nadal talks about tennis, Sascha Zverev has to listen and believe him,” Becker said, envisioning the 22-time Major champion as a guiding force. Zverev’s achievements—Olympic gold, two ATP Finals titles, and seven Masters 1000 crowns—mark him as one of the greatest players without a Major, a label he’s eager to shed. “I don’t think I’m as far off as some might believe,” Zverev said recently, signaling his determination.
Becker’s own history with Zverev adds context. In December 2024, Zverev expressed openness to working with Becker but cited uncertainty about his travel availability due to legal restrictions. “I love Boris and I also believe that he has an incredible knowledge of tennis,” Zverev said. “But I don’t know how he feels about travelling. That’s the only question mark for him.” Now, with Toni Nadal in the frame, Becker’s question about travel extends to the Spaniard, whose commitments at the academy and past coaching stints, like with Felix Auger-Aliassime, suggest a selective approach. Zverev’s response to earlier criticism from Becker and Billie Jean King Cup captain Barbara Rittner was measured but firm: “When things are going badly for me, everyone else is very, very clever,” he said before the Stuttgart Open, adding, “I will always listen to what he has to say, but I don’t always have to agree with him.”
As Zverev prepares for the Canadian Open on July 26, 2025, where he won in 2017, the tennis world watches closely. A partnership with Toni Nadal, potentially bolstered by Rafael’s mentorship, could redefine Zverev’s career. Becker’s endorsement underscores the stakes: “The combination is total spannend [exciting]. I wish it will be so.” For Zverev, who has faced mental and competitive hurdles, this move could be the catalyst to finally claim the elusive Grand Slam title, especially with the US Open looming. The question of whether Toni Nadal can fully commit to the grind of the ATP Tour remains, but for now, Becker’s approval and Zverev’s ambition set the stage for a thrilling new chapter.
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