Alexander Zverev, the towering German tennis star ranked world No. 3, stands at a pivotal moment in his career. At 28, with 24 ATP Tour titles and a gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Zverev has long been tipped as a future Grand Slam champion. Yet, despite reaching three Grand Slam finals, including the 2025 Australian Open, the elusive major title remains out of reach. His recent collaboration with Toni Nadal, the legendary coach behind 16 of Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam triumphs, has ignited excitement in the tennis world—but not without skepticism. Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina has raised doubts about Zverev’s “willingness to change,” suggesting that the success of this partnership hinges on his ability to embrace new approaches.
Zverev’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. A finalist at the Australian Open, where he fell to Jannik Sinner, he also reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals but suffered a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon against Arthur Rinderknech—the first time in six years he’s fallen so early in a major. This defeat, coupled with his candid admission of feeling “empty” and dissatisfied with his game, prompted a bold move. Post-Wimbledon, Zverev headed to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca for a 10-day training stint under Toni Nadal’s guidance. “The time in Mallorca was amazing,” Zverev said, reflecting on the experience. “I worked really hard and enjoyed it as well. I think Toni enjoyed it probably as well.” The intensive sessions, which included late-night discussions with both Toni and Rafael Nadal, offered Zverev fresh perspectives, particularly on how opponents perceive his game. “Rafa gave me some great insight of what it actually is like to play against me,” he noted, highlighting the value of their conversations, which sometimes stretched past midnight.
The collaboration, however, is not yet a permanent arrangement. Toni Nadal, now 64, has commitments as director of the Rafa Nadal Academy, tournament director of the ATP 250 in Mallorca, and a sought-after speaker, limiting his availability to travel as Zverev’s full-time coach. “I’m trying to convince him to do more weeks with me,” Zverev admitted, acknowledging Toni’s busy schedule. Reports suggest Toni has offered Zverev the chance to train at the academy whenever needed, but a long-term partnership remains under discussion. This trial period has already shown promise, with fans and analysts noting tactical shifts in Zverev’s game, such as a more aggressive approach and willingness to take the ball earlier, addressing his tendency to retreat behind the baseline in high-stakes moments.
Safina, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, expressed cautious optimism about the partnership but emphasized that its success depends on Zverev’s adaptability. “It will be exciting to watch. Toni is very straightforward. I do not know how willing Alexander is to change and integrate someone else into his team,” she said. Her comments echo concerns from others, including Toni himself, who pointed to Zverev’s mental approach as a key area for improvement. Recalling Zverev’s 2024 Roland Garros final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, Toni noted, “Zverev, it’s a mental problem. In this moment he knows he plays against Alcaraz, a wonderful player. He started to talk, and within 10 minutes it was 4-0 or 4-1.” Toni believes that for Zverev to claim a Grand Slam, he must “change a little his mentality.”
Zverev’s mental struggles have been a recurring theme. His emotional post-Wimbledon press conference, where he admitted to feeling isolated and uninspired, underscored the psychological barriers he faces. Boris Becker, another tennis legend, praised Zverev’s decision to work with Toni, calling it a potential “game-changer” but warning that the “tough Spanish school” of discipline could test Zverev’s resolve. With his father, Alexander Sr., and brother, Mischa, as his primary coaches for years, Zverev has rarely embraced outside influence, making this collaboration a significant departure.
As Zverev prepares for the North American hard-court swing, starting with the Canadian Open—where he defeated Adam Walton 7-6(6), 6-4 in his first match since Wimbledon—the tennis world is watching closely. The upcoming US Open, starting August 24, looms large, especially given Zverev’s 2020 final appearance there. With Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominating recent majors, Zverev knows he must elevate his game to compete. “I think at this stage for me it’s about winning, and trying to maximise what I have,” he said, expressing hope that Toni’s expertise can unlock his potential. Whether Zverev can embrace the changes needed to break through remains the million-dollar question, but his time in Mallorca has sparked a renewed sense of possibility in his quest for Grand Slam glory.
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