In the balmy summer heat of Mallorca, the tennis world buzzed with speculation when Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3, was spotted training at the Rafa Nadal Academy under the guidance of Toni Nadal, the legendary coach behind 16 of Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles. The sight of Zverev, a three-time major finalist, hitting forehands and serves under Toni’s watchful eye sparked rumors of a potential coaching partnership that could propel the German to his elusive first Grand Slam. However, on July 23, 2025, reports confirmed that Toni Nadal will not take on a permanent coaching role with Zverev, citing his extensive commitments as the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy, an ATP tournament director, and a speaker. Despite this, Toni has extended an open invitation for Zverev to return to the academy for training whenever he wishes, leaving the door ajar for future collaborations.
Zverev’s decision to train in Mallorca came on the heels of a devastating first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 against Arthur Rinderknech, a five-set loss that left him visibly shaken. “I feel very alone out there at times,” Zverev confessed in a raw post-match press conference, his voice heavy with emotion. “I’ve been fighting mentally since the Australian Open. I’ve never felt so empty. I lack joy in everything I do, even when I win.” His candid admission of mental struggles, coupled with a withdrawal from the ATP 250 event in Gstaad for “personal reasons,” underscored the need for a reset. The Rafa Nadal Academy, with its state-of-the-art facilities and Toni’s reputation for instilling mental toughness, seemed the perfect place to reignite his passion. “I had a great week of training with Toni and Rafa,” Zverev said in a video shared by the academy, praising the intense yet supportive environment. “The academy is very beautiful, and Mallorca is very beautiful in general, especially in summer. I’m ready for the United States now.”
The training stint, which lasted about a week, fueled speculation about a seismic shift in Zverev’s coaching setup. Traditionally guided by his father, Alexander Zverev Sr., and occasionally by high-profile coaches like Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl, and David Ferrer, Zverev appeared to be seeking fresh perspectives. Videos from the academy showed him working on tactical adjustments, with fans noting a more aggressive approach. “Love seeing him work near the baseline like that,” one fan posted online, while another observed, “See him effectively taking the ball on the rise with decent pace… his problem is not technique, it’s the fact that when he gets to semi-final or final, he goes 5m behind the baseline and defensively tries to stay in rallies.” These changes hinted at Toni’s influence, known for molding Rafael Nadal into a relentless competitor who thrived under pressure.
Toni, however, has made it clear that his packed schedule prevents him from joining Zverev on the tour full-time. His role at the academy, where he oversees the development of young players, combined with his duties as the Mallorca Open tournament director and frequent speaking engagements, leaves little room for a permanent coaching commitment. “I have a great deal of affection for him, and I wouldn’t want him to read this as criticism,” Toni wrote in his El Pais column, reflecting on Zverev’s Wimbledon remarks that “filled him with sadness.” He pinpointed Zverev’s mental fragility as his primary obstacle to Grand Slam success. “The difference between Alexander, on the one hand, and Djokovic, Federer, or Rafael, on the other, doesn’t show when everyone is playing well—it shows when they’re playing badly,” he explained. “The problem for Sascha is when things just aren’t working out. That’s when he usually loses.”
Despite the absence of a formal coaching agreement, the week in Mallorca was not without impact. Zverev’s sessions, which included input from Rafael Nadal himself, offered a glimpse of what could be. “It’s been a pleasure to have you at the academy this week! Best of luck in your upcoming tournaments!” the academy posted on X, sharing Zverev’s gratitude. Boris Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion, urged Zverev to absorb the Nadals’ wisdom. “When Rafael and Toni are talking to you about tennis, you have to keep your mouth shut and just listen,” Becker told Eurosport Germany, emphasizing the unique opportunity. As Zverev prepares for the North American hard-court swing, including the Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati and the US Open starting August 24, the tennis world watches to see if this brief but intense training block will translate into the mental resilience needed to finally claim a major title.
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