WATCH: Alexander Zverev spotted training under guidance of Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni

Toni Nadal has been rumoured to be Alexander Zverev’s new coach.

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev suffered a shocking opening-round exit at the hands of Arthur Rinderknech at the recently concluded Wimbledon 2025. While he continues to hold his World No. 3 position, the 28-year-old is yet to win a Grand Slam title.

The chances for the same seem to be getting tougher and tougher for the German, mainly due to the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. It has been tough going for Zverev, who, despite his consistent outings on tour and winning other titles, is yet to triumph at the biggest stage in tennis. A major reason for that is his mentality and passiveness against the better-ranked players.

With the hard-court swing coming up, a big shake-up in Zverev’s tank seems to be on the cards. The third seed was spotted at Rafael Nadal‘s Academy, training closely under the watchful guidance of Toni Nadal, who happens to be Rafael’s uncle. Toni is a former coach, having previously worked with Rafael and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Should this partnership go ahead, it could certainly be a stepping stone for the German, looking for his first Grand Slam major. The two share a similar playing style, and hence Toni Nadal might be able to help the Tokyo Olympic Gold medalist in a better way than his previous coaches.

The duo’s collaboration hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, and there are even rumors that Rafael Nadal himself might join Zverev’s team as a mentor, though this remains unverified.

This brings back memories of the 2019 Laver Cup, when both Roger Federer and Nadal were seen passionately backing Zverev from the sidelines, urging him to stay sharp and keep the energy high during his matches to motivate the German star.

After working with his mother in his early tennis days, Alexander Zverev later formed a solid team with his father at the core. While former stars like Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ivan Lendl, and David Ferrer briefly joined his coaching setup, none stayed long enough to establish a lasting impact.

With the ongoing struggle for consistency and a stable team, this potential Zverev-Nadal partnership could be exactly what the German tennis star needs to capture his first Grand Slam title.

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