Alexander Zverev, the World No. 3 and three-time Grand Slam finalist, has taken a bold step toward revitalizing his career by training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, a move that has earned the enthusiastic endorsement of German tennis legend Boris Becker. After a disheartening first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, Zverev opted to skip the ATP 250 event in Gstaad and instead immerse himself in an intensive training block under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal, the storied coach who guided his nephew Rafael to 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. Becker, a six-time major champion, believes this “Mallorca reset” could be the turning point for Zverev to finally claim an elusive Grand Slam title and even challenge for the World No. 1 ranking. “It was perhaps the revelation he needed,” Becker declared. “I’m convinced Alexander will win a Major title and become world No. 1 at some point.”
Zverev’s 2025 season started with promise, as he reached the Australian Open final, only to fall to Jannik Sinner in straight sets. However, his campaign faltered with a quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros and a shocking first-round defeat to Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon, his earliest Grand Slam exit in six years. The Wimbledon loss, a grueling five-setter (7-6(7), 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4), exposed vulnerabilities, with Zverev admitting to mental struggles. “I’ve never felt this empty before,” he confessed in a candid press conference, revealing a lack of joy both on and off the court. “Even when I’m winning, it’s not the feeling I used to get where I was happy, over the moon, motivated to keep going. It’s just not there right now.” His openness about feeling “pretty alone in life” sparked concern, but also prompted his decision to seek a fresh perspective in Mallorca.
The Rafa Nadal Academy, located in Manacor, offered Zverev an ideal environment to recalibrate. Training on both clay and hard courts under Toni Nadal’s guidance, Zverev absorbed “short, precise instructions” that emphasized discipline and mental fortitude. Becker, speaking on his podcast with Andrea Petkovic, praised the move: “If it’s true that Toni Nadal is Sascha Zverev’s new coach, he’s done everything right. Toni knows how to win Grand Slams.” While Toni confirmed the collaboration is temporary due to his commitments as the academy’s director and Mallorca’s ATP tournament director, he pinpointed Zverev’s mental game as the key barrier. “If he wants to win a Grand Slam, he needs to change a little his mentality,” Toni noted, recalling Zverev’s missed opportunities, like squandering a 40-0 lead against Sinner in Melbourne. “He can win, but to win is a thing about mentality.”
Becker’s support comes with a nuanced perspective. While he lauded Zverev’s potential partnership with Toni, he also cautioned against public disclosures of mental struggles, suggesting a more reserved approach. “Alexander Zverev is a kind of sporting adopted son for me,” Becker said, admitting he “cried” hearing Zverev’s Wimbledon comments. “If I had been his coach, I would have advised him not to reveal such information.” Yet, Becker sees the Mallorca stint as a chance for Zverev to reset his mindset, drawing on Toni’s “Spanish school” of discipline and high expectations. “When Rafael and Toni are talking to you about tennis, you have to keep your mouth shut and just listen,” he advised, emphasizing the value of learning from the Nadal legacy.
Zverev’s career, marked by an Olympic gold medal, two ATP Finals titles, and seven Masters 1000 crowns, has long been defined by unrealized potential. At 28, he’s been coached primarily by his father, Alexander Sr., with brother Mischa as a manager, but brief stints with coaches like Ivan Lendl and Juan Carlos Ferrero never lasted. Becker, who coached Djokovic to six majors, has long urged Zverev to embrace a new coaching environment, a view echoed by Toni’s observation that Zverev’s technical skills are sound, but his mental approach needs refinement. “The difference between Alexander and Djokovic, Federer, or Rafael shows when they’re playing badly,” Toni wrote, highlighting Zverev’s need for resilience in clutch moments.
As Zverev prepares for the Canadian Open, where he’s the top seed due to withdrawals from Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Draper, he faces a golden opportunity to regain momentum. Becker remains optimistic, noting, “Getting to the throne is difficult, but staying there is the hardest thing in the world.” With the US Open looming, where Zverev nearly triumphed in 2020, his Mallorca reset could be the spark to fulfill Becker’s prophecy and finally secure that coveted major title.
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