
Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3 and one of tennis’s most talented yet unfulfilled stars, is at a crossroads. After a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 to Arthur Rinderknech, the German player opened up about his mental struggles, admitting he felt “very alone out there at times” and was grappling with a lack of motivation since his Australian Open final loss to Jannik Sinner earlier this year. Now, in a bid to reignite his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title, Zverev has turned to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where he’s been spotted training under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal, Rafael’s legendary uncle and former coach. Reports suggest that Rafael Nadal himself, the 22-time Grand Slam champion who retired in November 2024, may take on a mentorship role, with Toni potentially becoming Zverev’s head coach. The move has sparked excitement, with Toni reportedly urging Zverev to “keep your mouth shut and listen” to unlock the mental fortitude needed to break through.
Zverev’s Wimbledon defeat was a wake-up call. Despite a commendable 33-14 record this season, including finals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the 28-year-old has yet to capture a major title, a gap that peers like Rafael Nadal attribute to mental barriers. “Zverev is an impressive player, but he hasn’t yet managed to win a Grand Slam. Unfortunately, I think it’s all in his head,” Nadal said before his retirement, pinpointing the psychological hurdle that has kept Zverev from joining the elite. The German’s candid post-Wimbledon press conference, where he confessed, “I struggle mentally,” resonated across the tennis world, earning support from players like Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka. His decision to train at Nadal’s academy, rather than take a planned break after withdrawing from the ATP 250 event in Gstaad for “personal reasons,” signals a proactive step toward addressing these challenges.
Toni Nadal, who guided Rafael to 16 of his 22 major titles, is renowned for instilling discipline and resilience, qualities Zverev has sometimes lacked in high-stakes moments. “I have a great deal of affection for him, and I wouldn’t want him to read this as criticism, but the truth is that all these years he hasn’t managed to correct what he needs in order to become a Grand Slam champion,” Toni wrote in a recent El Pais column, expressing sadness at Zverev’s mental struggles. His no-nonsense approach, reportedly encapsulated in the advice to “keep your mouth shut and listen,” aims to sharpen Zverev’s focus and decision-making. Videos from the Rafa Nadal Academy’s Instagram stories show Zverev hitting with intensity under Toni’s guidance, a stark contrast to his despondent Wimbledon exit. Rafael’s potential mentorship adds another layer, offering Zverev access to the mindset of a player who turned grit into greatness, particularly on clay, where Zverev hopes to finally triumph at Roland Garros.
This coaching shake-up marks a departure from Zverev’s family-centric setup, led by his father, Alexander Sr., and brother, Mischa. While this structure propelled him to two ATP Finals titles, an Olympic gold, and seven Masters 1000 crowns, critics like Boris Becker have argued it’s held him back. “The father and the brother have done an excellent job, but for the final step, it hasn’t been good enough,” Becker said, urging Zverev to seek external expertise. Previous stints with coaches like Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl, and David Ferrer were short-lived, but Toni’s proven track record with Rafael and Felix Auger-Aliassime suggests a more lasting impact. Auger-Aliassime’s 2022 season, which included a maiden ATP title and a Davis Cup triumph, highlights Toni’s ability to elevate players.
The timing is critical as Zverev prepares for the North American hard-court swing, including the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Masters, and US Open. His 2024 Roland Garros final loss to Carlos Alcaraz and the 2025 Australian Open defeat to Sinner underscored his ability to reach the biggest stages but falter under pressure. With Alcaraz and Sinner dominating, Zverev risks being left behind. “I think I’ll have answers by Canada,” Zverev said post-Wimbledon, hinting at his openness to change. Rafael’s involvement, even as a mentor, could be pivotal, given his 7-4 head-to-head edge over Zverev, including a memorable 2024 Roland Garros first-round win that marked Nadal’s final Grand Slam match. “I expect him to play the best tennis he’s played in a long time,” Zverev said then, acknowledging Nadal’s enduring aura.
As Zverev trains in Mallorca, the tennis world watches eagerly. Will Toni’s tough love and Rafael’s mentorship unlock the Grand Slam champion within? With the US Open looming, this collaboration could be the turning point in Zverev’s career, transforming a player long on talent but short on mental clarity into a true contender.
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