Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3 and one of tennis’s most talented players, stands at a crossroads in his career following a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025. The German star, often hailed as the best player yet to win a Grand Slam, suffered his earliest major loss in six years against Arthur Rinderknech, prompting soul-searching and a candid press conference where he admitted to struggling with joy both on and off the court. Toni Nadal, the legendary coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal, has weighed in with a piercing analysis, identifying Zverev’s mental fragility as the primary barrier to achieving Grand Slam success. As Zverev trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Nadal’s insights offer a roadmap for the 28-year-old to unlock his elusive major title.
Zverev’s career is a study in near-misses. He has reached three Grand Slam finals—losing to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open, and Jannik Sinner at the 2025 Australian Open—yet remains without a major trophy despite 24 ATP titles, including two ATP Finals and an Olympic gold medal. His latest setback at Wimbledon, where he fell in five sets, was particularly jarring. “I’m struggling to find joy in the game right now,” Zverev confessed post-match, a rare admission that sparked concern among fans and analysts. Toni Nadal, who guided Rafael to 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles, believes the issue lies in Zverev’s mindset. “Zverev, it’s a mental problem,” Nadal told a German outlet, pointing to a critical moment in the 2024 French Open final against Alcaraz. “He won the third set and started the fourth. In this moment, he knows he plays against Alcaraz, a wonderful player. This is a moment when you have to put a lot of attention in these first games.”
Nadal highlighted a pivotal lapse in focus during that final. After taking a 0-15 lead in the fourth set’s opening game, Zverev became distracted, arguing with his team. “Within 10 minutes, it was 4-0 or 4-1 to Alcaraz,” Nadal recalled, noting how such mental lapses have cost Zverev in high-stakes matches. “If he wants to win and have chances to win a Grand Slam, he needs to change a little his mentality.” Nadal’s critique is not meant to diminish Zverev, whom he admires. “I don’t say this to be bad to Zverev, because I appreciate him,” he added, emphasizing that Zverev’s technical skills—evident in past victories over Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer—are world-class. “I think he played better before,” Nadal said, recalling Zverev’s fearless performances against top players earlier in his career.
The German’s recent training sessions with Toni Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy have fueled speculation about a potential coaching partnership, especially after Zverev canceled his participation in the ATP event in Gstaad to focus on this work. Posts on social media from the academy showcased Zverev’s rigorous drills, hinting at a new chapter. Boris Becker, a six-time major champion, has also urged Zverev to shake up his team, currently led by his father, Alexander Zverev Sr., and brother, Mischa. “The father and brother have done a great job, but for the last step, it’s not enough,” Becker said, suggesting a fresh perspective could be key. Rafael Nadal, speaking earlier in 2025, expressed confidence in Zverev’s potential, saying, “He’s an incredible player. The only thing he’s missing is a Grand Slam title. But probably at some point, he will make it happen.”
As Zverev prepares for the 2025 US Open, his focus is on rediscovering his spark. His ability to serve-and-volley and compete on all surfaces—particularly hard courts, where Toni Nadal believes he excels—gives him a strong foundation. Yet, his tendency to drop sets in early rounds due to passive play, as noted by fans online, has led to excessive court time, draining him for later stages. With Toni Nadal’s guidance, Zverev may find the mental clarity needed to seize his moment and join the elite club of Grand Slam champions.
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