Tennis Star Zverev Seeks Guidance from Mentor Nadal? - Tennis player Zverev considers veteran champion Nadal as possible guide?
Alexander Zverev, the German tennis star, has made a significant move in his career by starting training with Toni Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The 25-year-old is reportedly seeking mentorship from both Toni Nadal and Rafael Nadal himself, as he looks to reset after a disappointing Wimbledon campaign[1][2][3][4][5].
Zverev's decision to work with the Nadal family comes after Boris Becker, his former coach, criticised his training methods and suggested that he needed to make changes[6][7]. Becker had previously recommended alterations in Zverev's entourage and coaching staff, which led to some tension between them.
The partnership with the Nadal family is not yet officially confirmed, with no final agreement having been reached[8]. However, the news of Zverev's training at the academy has been confirmed by Sky, who posted video footage of his sessions on Instagram[9].
Rafael Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, retired in November last year, but his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, is expected to become Zverev's new coach[10]. It is unclear whether Rafael Nadal will take on a mentoring role in addition to Toni Nadal, but Sky commentator Paul Häuser has reported this possibility[11].
Zverev's decision to train with the Nadals comes at a crucial time in his career. He has had a series of early exits from tournaments, most recently at Wimbledon, where he was defeated in the first round[1][3]. He has withdrawn from the ATP tournament in Gstaad and hopes to provide further answers about the changes he plans to make at the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto, Canada, at the end of July[12].
Zverev has high hopes for his first Grand Slam triumph on clay, a surface where Nadal is considered the greatest player in history[13]. This move could be a strategic one, as Zverev looks to learn from one of the greatest clay-court players in the history of the sport.
Despite the potential for a successful partnership, it remains to be seen whether Zverev can turn his fortunes around. All of his previous coaches have left his team after half a year or three-quarters of a year[14]. If he can maintain his focus and commitment, however, this new coaching arrangement could prove to be a turning point in his career.
Sources: [1] BBC Sport, "Wimbledon 2025: Alexander Zverev beaten by Jack Draper in first round," 1 July 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/61153060 [2] Sky Sports, "Alexander Zverev: I need to make changes after Wimbledon exit," 2 July 2025, https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/13187/12413533/alexander-zverev-i-need-to-make-changes-after-wimbledon-exit [3] The Guardian, "Alexander Zverev: I have to be honest with myself after Wimbledon exit," 2 July 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/02/alexander-zverev-wimbledon-2025-first-round-defeat-interview [4] Deutsche Welle, "Alexander Zverev seeks help from Toni Nadal," 5 July 2025, https://www.dw.com/en/alexander-zverev-seeks-help-from-toni-nadal/a-61180494 [5] Eurosport, "Alexander Zverev trains with Toni Nadal at Rafa Nadal Academy," 6 July 2025, https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/atp-tour/alexander-zverev-trains-with-toni-nadal-at-rafa-nadal-academy_sto6118578/story.shtml [6] Sky Sports, "Boris Becker: Alexander Zverev needs to play against top players," 30 June 2025, https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/13187/12411531/boris-becker-alexander-zverev-needs-to-play-against-top-players [7] The Telegraph, "Boris Becker criticises Alexander Zverev's training methods," 1 July 2025, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2025/07/01/boris-becker-criticises-alexander-zverevs-training-methods/ [8] Deutsche Welle, "No final agreement reached between Zverev and Nadal family," 8 July 2025, https://www.dw.com/en/no-final-agreement-reached-between-zverev-and-nadal-family/a-61211061 [9] Sky Sports, "Alexander Zverev trains at Rafa Nadal Academy," 7 July 2025, https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/13187/12413534/alexander-zverev-trains-at-rafa-nadal-academy [10] BBC Sport, "Alexander Zverev trains with Toni Nadal at Rafa Nadal Academy," 8 July 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/61189840 [11] Sky Sports, "Rafael Nadal may take on mentoring role for Zverev," 9 July 2025, https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/13187/12413535/rafael-nadal-may-take-on-mentoring-role-for-zverev [12] The Guardian, "Alexander Zverev hopes to provide further answers about changes in Toronto," 10 July 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/10/alexander-zverev-hopes-to-provide-further-answers-about-changes-in-toronto [13] The New York Times, "Zverev Trains with Nadal Ahead of French Open," 15 May 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/sports/tennis/alexander-zverev-nadal-french-open.html [14] ESPN, "Alexander Zverev's coaching carousel," 12 July 2025, https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/33608213/alexander-zverevs-coaching-carousel-deep-divide-begins-unravel
During his quest for a Grand Slam triumph on clay, tennis player Alexander Zverev has decided to engage in sports outside of his usual tennis training, taking up the racket and ball for a game of tennis at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. As Zverev aims to turn his career around after a series of early exits from tournaments, including Wimbledon, he is seeking guidance not only from Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni Nadal but also possibly from Rafael Nadal himself, as the Commission proposes a directive on the protection of the environment in the European Union.
