In a surprising twist in the tennis world, Alexander Zverev’s recent training stint at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca sparked intense speculation about a potential coaching partnership with Toni Nadal, the legendary coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal. The World No. 3, reeling from a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, was spotted honing his game under Toni’s watchful eye, fueling rumors of a transformative collaboration. However, Toni has now clarified that he will not take on the role of Zverev’s full-time coach due to his extensive commitments, though he has extended an open invitation for the German star to train at the academy whenever needed. This decision marks a pivotal moment for Zverev as he seeks to reset his career and chase his elusive first Grand Slam title.
Zverev’s visit to Mallorca came on the heels of a disheartening five-set loss to Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon, a defeat that left him visibly shaken. In a candid post-match press conference, the 28-year-old opened up about his mental struggles, admitting, “I have some difficulties mentally. I’m trying to find ways to get out of this hole, but I keep falling back in it. I feel quite alone in life right now, and it’s not a pleasant feeling.” The emotional weight of the loss, coupled with his earlier defeats in the 2025 Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner and the 2024 French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, prompted Zverev to seek a fresh perspective. His decision to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy, a hub renowned for its rigorous training and mental conditioning, signaled a bold step toward addressing these challenges.
During his week-long training block, Zverev worked closely with Toni Nadal, whose coaching prowess helped guide Rafael Nadal to 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. Videos and photos shared by the academy captured Zverev hitting on the hard courts, with Toni offering guidance alongside coach Joan Bosch. Zverev expressed gratitude for the experience, stating, “It’s been a very good week. I’ve had a lot of help from Toni and from Rafa as well. It was fantastic seeing the two of them again. The academy is very beautiful, and Mallorca, in general, is very beautiful, especially in summer.” The intense heat of the Balearic Islands provided a grueling backdrop, preparing Zverev for the demanding North American hardcourt swing, starting with the Canadian Open in Toronto from July 27 to August 7, 2025.
Toni Nadal, however, revealed that his role as director of the Rafa Nadal Academy and ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca, along with his commitments as a speaker, preclude him from joining Zverev’s team as a traveling coach. “According to reports, Toni won’t become Zverev’s permanent tour coach,” noted German tennis journalist Jannik Schneider, emphasizing that Toni’s schedule is too demanding. Instead, Toni offered Zverev the opportunity to return to the academy for training and advice whenever needed, a gesture that aligns with Rafael Nadal’s own encouragement for Zverev to use the facility. Toni’s decision reflects his belief in Zverev’s potential, tempered by a candid assessment of the German’s mental barriers. In a column for *El Pais*, Toni wrote, “I just read Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev’s statements after his surprising first-round defeat at Wimbledon, and they filled me with sadness. I have a great deal of affection for him, and I wouldn’t want him to read this as criticism, but the truth is that all these years he hasn’t managed to correct what he needs in order to become a Grand Slam champion.”
Toni’s insights pinpointed Zverev’s mental approach as a key area for improvement. Reflecting on Zverev’s 2024 French Open final loss to Alcaraz, Toni remarked, “In the moment when he played against Alcaraz, he won the third set and started the fourth… this is a moment when you have to put a lot of attention. Zverev was in trouble with his team, he started to talk, and within 10 minutes it was 4-0 or 4-1 to Alcaraz. This is what can happen. When he changes, he has everything.” Toni’s observations echo sentiments from tennis legend Boris Becker, who praised the potential partnership, saying, “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.” However, Becker questioned how Zverev’s father, Alexander Sr., and brother, Mischa, who have long been his primary coaches, would fit into this new dynamic.
Zverev’s career, marked by 24 ATP titles, including Olympic gold in 2021 and seven Masters 1000 crowns, has been stellar but incomplete without a Grand Slam. His three major final losses—2020 US Open, 2024 French Open, and 2025 Australian Open—highlight his struggle to seize critical moments. The Mallorca stint, while not resulting in a full-time coaching hire, has already shown promise. Fans on social media noted Zverev hitting closer to the baseline and flattening his forehand, addressing long-standing critiques of his defensive play in high-stakes matches. As Zverev prepares for the Canadian Open, where he won in 2017, and the US Open, starting August 25, 2025, the tennis world watches to see if this collaboration with Toni Nadal will spark the mental and technical transformation needed to finally claim a major title.
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