In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Alexander Zverev has confirmed he is currently training at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca — and not alone. The German star is working alongside the legendary Toni Nadal, uncle and long-time coach of Rafael Nadal, sparking massive speculation that a blockbuster coaching partnership is in the works.
According to Sky Sport, there’s more to the story: Uncle Toni is strongly tipped to become Zverev’s full-time coach, with Rafael Nadal himself potentially stepping in as an informal advisor. It’s a revelation that has both fans and insiders buzzing with excitement, as this move could mark a major turning point in Zverev’s career.
Zverev, known for his powerful groundstrokes and fearless baseline play, had been relatively quiet following a rollercoaster season marred by injury and inconsistency. But it appears the 27-year-old is now preparing to launch a serious comeback, and he’s not doing it half-heartedly.
“Training here at the Rafa Nadal Academy, learning from the best — it’s where I need to be right now,” Zverev said in a brief but telling comment shared via his Instagram story on Monday. While he didn’t outright confirm the coaching change, his words were enough to get fans speculating — and then the photos came.
Images quickly surfaced of Zverev training under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal. The pair were spotted working on footwork drills, court positioning, and even engaging in long tactical conversations at courtside. Tennis forums and social media exploded almost instantly.
Toni Nadal, the mastermind behind Rafael Nadal’s early dominance and 22 Grand Slam titles, stepped away from coaching Rafa in 2017 to focus on developing talent at the academy. However, his possible return to elite-level coaching — this time with Zverev — represents a major shake-up.
Even more intriguing is the rumoured involvement of Rafael Nadal himself. While recovering from injury and easing into what may be his final playing season, Rafa has reportedly shown interest in guiding younger players and may take on an advisory role in Zverev’s corner.
“Having the Nadal philosophy injected into Zverev’s game could be a total game-changer,” said former Australian pro and commentator Todd Woodbridge. “Toni Nadal brings mental toughness, discipline, and clarity — traits that Zverev has sometimes lacked under pressure.”
Tennis fans didn’t hold back their excitement online.
“Zverev + Uncle Toni? That’s a WIMBLEDON FINAL waiting to happen!”
“If Rafa joins even as a part-time mentor, this could be the biggest strategic move of Zverev’s career.”
“Did not have ‘Uncle Toni coaches Zverev’ on my 2025 tennis bingo card.”
With the US Open just around the corner and the Olympic Games looming, this coaching shake-up could be perfectly timed. Zverev won gold in Tokyo 2021 and has his eyes firmly set on defending that title.
Sky Sport’s sources claim the partnership will be formalised within the next few weeks, potentially debuting during the North American hard court swing. Neither Toni nor Rafael Nadal have officially commented, but their close involvement has already made headlines.
This unexpected alliance between Zverev and the Nadal family could usher in a new era for the German star, who has long been touted as a Grand Slam champion in waiting. With Uncle Toni’s no-nonsense coaching style and Rafa’s competitive wisdom, the tennis world might be about to witness the rebirth of Alexander Zverev.
