Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3 tennis star, has ignited intrigue across the tennis world with his recent training stint at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where he worked under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal, the legendary coach behind 16 of Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles. The 10-day visit, which followed a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 against Arthur Rinderknech, was a bold move for the 28-year-old German, who is still chasing his first major title. While Zverev expressed enthusiasm about the experience, former world No. 1 Dinara Safina has raised pointed questions about his willingness to adapt and embrace the changes necessary to elevate his game under Nadal’s guidance.
Zverev’s time in Mallorca was more than a training camp—it was a deep dive into tactical and mental recalibration. Sparked by a lengthy voice message from Toni Nadal, the collaboration included late-night discussions with both Toni and Rafael Nadal, offering Zverev unique insights into his game. “The time in Mallorca was amazing,” Zverev shared, describing the experience as a blend of intense practice and personal connection. “I really enjoyed it and I’m very thankful to him and to Rafa also for welcoming me the way I did.” He highlighted how Rafael, a former rival who holds a 7-4 head-to-head edge, provided a spectator’s perspective on his playing style, noting, “Rafa gave me some great insight of what it actually is like to play against me.” These conversations, often stretching past midnight over dinners, fueled Zverev’s hope for a potential long-term partnership, though Toni’s commitments as a speaker and Mallorca Open tournament director make an official coaching role uncertain.
Despite Zverev’s optimism, Safina, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, expressed skepticism about his readiness to evolve. Speaking on a podcast, she emphasized that the success of this collaboration hinges on Zverev’s openness to change. “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. “It seems to me that a lot will depend on Alexander in this collaboration, on his willingness to change, listen and try new things.” Her cautious outlook stems from Zverev’s history of short-lived coaching relationships with figures like Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl, and David Ferrer, often marked by his resistance to external input. Safina believes Toni’s no-nonsense approach could be a game-changer, but only if Zverev is prepared to “let someone else take the reins.”
Zverev’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag, with a 33-14 record, including a runner-up finish at the Australian Open and a quarterfinal run at Roland Garros. However, his Wimbledon loss exposed mental vulnerabilities, as he admitted to feeling “very alone” and “empty” both on and off the court. “I’m trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole, but I keep finding myself back in it,” he confessed post-Wimbledon, prompting his unexpected trip to Mallorca. The training block, which included sessions with young talent Martín Landaluce, was a chance to reset before the North American hard-court swing, starting with the Canadian Open in Toronto, where Zverev, the top seed, defeated Adam Walton 7-6(6), 6-4 in his opener on July 29, 2025.
Toni Nadal’s coaching philosophy, rooted in mental toughness and relentless work ethic, transformed Rafael into a 14-time French Open champion. For Zverev, whose aggressive baseline game and powerful serve have yet to translate into Grand Slam glory, this approach could address longstanding critiques. Toni himself has previously noted Zverev’s struggles in adversity, writing that unlike Rafael, Novak Djokovic, or Roger Federer, Zverev often falters when “things just aren’t working out.” His candid assessment aligns with Safina’s concerns, suggesting that Zverev’s mental fortitude and willingness to adapt will be critical.
As Zverev eyes the Cincinnati Masters and US Open, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2024, the tennis world watches closely. His 2021 Olympic gold medal and two ATP Finals titles (2018, 2021) prove his elite potential, but Safina’s doubts linger. “I’m trying to convince [Toni] to do more weeks with me,” Zverev said, hopeful yet aware of Toni’s packed schedule. With a third-round match against Matteo Arnaldi looming in Toronto, Zverev’s ability to apply the Nadal Academy’s lessons—both technical and mental—will be tested. Can he embrace the change Safina questions, or will old habits hold him back? The hard courts of North America may hold the answer.
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