Reports indicate that Alexander Zverev has been turned down by Toni Nadal for a coaching position, with the decision attributed to Nadal’s time constraints. The world No. 3, who recently suffered a shocking first-round loss at Wimbledon 2025 to Arthur Rinderknech, had been spotted training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca alongside Toni, sparking speculation about a potential partnership. However, according to sources, the 64-year-old uncle of Rafael Nadal, who has been the academy’s inaugural director since 2016 and serves as tournament director for the Mallorca Open, declined due to his existing commitments. These include his role at the academy, speaking engagements, and other responsibilities, leaving him with insufficient capacity for a full-time coaching role. Despite the rejection, Nadal has reportedly offered Zverev the opportunity to continue using the academy’s facilities for training.
Zverev had expressed openness to adding a new coach to his team, currently led by his father Alexander Sr., following his Wimbledon exit, where he also revealed personal struggles and considered therapy. Toni Nadal, known for guiding Rafael to 16 Grand Slam titles, provided insights during Zverev’s training block, suggesting mental fortitude as a key area for improvement, particularly citing his 2024 French Open final collapse against Carlos Alcaraz. While some initial reports hinted at a possible mentorship or long-term collaboration, the latest updates clarify that no formal coaching role will materialize. Zverev is now set to return at the Canadian Open, starting today, July 27, 2025, where he will face either Benjamin Bonzi or Adam Walton in the second round, continuing his search for a new coaching dynamic.
