Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3 tennis star, is on a mission to elevate his game and finally capture that elusive Grand Slam title, and he’s turning to a legendary figure for help. After a disheartening first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, the 28-year-old German spent 10 transformative days training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. Now, as Zverev prepares for the Canadian Open in Toronto, where he’s the top seed, he’s candidly shared his efforts to persuade Toni to join his team for more than just a fleeting collaboration. “I’m trying to convince him to do more weeks with me, and we’ll see how it goes, but he’s a very busy man,” Zverev said with a smile during a pre-tournament press conference, hinting at the potential for a game-changing partnership.
The spark for this collaboration came unexpectedly. After his Wimbledon loss to Arthur Rinderknech—the first time in six years Zverev fell in the opening round of a major—Toni reached out. “It’s funny, because after Wimbledon he contacted me,” Zverev revealed, grateful for the hour-and-a-half phone call that led to an invitation to Mallorca. There, alongside training partner Martin Landaluce and with insights from Rafael Nadal himself, Zverev immersed himself in an environment steeped in championship pedigree. “The time in Mallorca was amazing,” he said, describing the intense yet enjoyable sessions. “I went there, I saw him, and it was an amazing 10 days. I really enjoyed it and I’m very thankful to him and to Rafa also for welcoming me the way I did. It was really nice.”
Zverev’s time with Toni wasn’t just about refining his forehand or sharpening his serve—it was about unlocking his mental edge. Toni, who guided Rafael to 16 of his major titles, pinpointed Zverev’s struggles in high-pressure moments. Reflecting on Zverev’s 2024 French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, Toni noted, “Zverev, it’s a mental problem. This is a moment when you have to put a lot of attention in these first games.” He recalled how Zverev’s focus faltered after winning the third set, allowing Alcaraz to surge ahead. “When he changes, he has everything,” Toni added, expressing belief in Zverev’s potential to dominate if he can overcome these mental hurdles. Zverev, who has reached three Grand Slam finals, including the 2025 Australian Open where he fell to Jannik Sinner, is acutely aware of his need to maximize his potential. “I think at this stage for me it’s about winning, and trying to maximise what I have,” he said, praising Toni’s ability to elevate a player’s game.
The Mallorca experience wasn’t just technical—it was deeply personal. Zverev spent hours with both Toni and Rafael, sometimes talking past midnight over dinners. “Rafa gave me some great insight of what it is actually like to play against me,” Zverev shared, valuing the perspective of his former rival, now a spectator. “When he speaks and when Rafa speaks, you listen.” These late-night conversations offered Zverev a rare glimpse into his on-court presence, blending tactical advice with confidence-building mentorship. Fans noticed immediate changes, with social media buzzing about Zverev’s more aggressive play, taking the ball earlier and stepping closer to the baseline—adjustments long suggested to counter his defensive tendencies in crucial matches.
Despite the optimism, a full-time partnership with Toni faces challenges. Toni, 64, is committed to his roles as director of the Rafa Nadal Academy, tournament director of the ATP 250 in Mallorca, and a sought-after speaker. “He has a lot of dates that he already committed to this year, so I’m not sure how much of him you’ll see this year,” Zverev admitted, noting ongoing discussions about a potential long-term collaboration. While Toni has declined to travel as a permanent coach, he’s offered Zverev open access to train at the academy anytime, a gesture that keeps the door ajar for future work.
As Zverev gears up for Toronto, facing Adam Walton in his opening match, he carries the momentum from Mallorca. With 24 ATP titles and a 498-212 win-loss record, he’s two victories shy of 500 career wins. His 2021 Olympic gold and two Nitto ATP Finals trophies underscore his talent, but the Grand Slam drought looms large. “I’m excited to play again, and I think the time off in the summer was extremely important for me,” he said, ready to apply Toni’s lessons. With the US Open on the horizon, where he reached the 2020 final, Zverev’s pursuit of Toni’s expertise could be the key to breaking through, turning his Grand Slam dreams into reality.
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