Toronto top seed Alexander Zverev got expert insight from retired rival Rafael Nadal
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Germany's Alexander Zverev said that after his 10-day visit to Spain he is still trying to persuade Toni Nadal to join his coaching team.
PHOTO: AFP
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TORONTO – Alexander Zverev returns to tennis with his confidence under repair after losing in the Wimbledon first round a month ago.
And the world No. 3, playing as top seed at the ATP Toronto Masters, is bolstered by the unique insight from one-time rival Rafael Nadal.
Zverev confirmed on July 27 in Toronto that he had sought advice – and possibly a new coach – as he travelled to Mallorca in July to visit Nadal’s training academy on the Spaniard’s home island.
While apparently failing to sign Nadal’s uncle Toni as his travelling coach, Zverev did have a chance to chat with Nadal, who retired last season.
“(Toni is) a great coach, no question about that, but he’s a personality that I think can give you confidence as well,” the German said.
“When he speaks and when Rafa speaks, you listen.
“They definitely spent a lot of hours talking to me, and Rafa gave me some great insight of what it is actually like to play against me.
“He saw me as a player. He sees me now as a spectator. It was very helpful.
“We spent hours and hours talking, sometimes past midnight at some dinners. It was great to be there.”
Zverev, a 2017 champion in Canada who has always been coached by his father, said that after his 10-day visit to Spain he is still trying to persuade Toni to join his coaching team.
“I’m trying to convince him to do more weeks with me, and we’ll see how it goes, but he’s a very busy man,” Zverev said.
“I’m not sure how much of him you’ll see this year, because he gave his word to a lot of events. But we’re talking about what a potential partnership could look like, for sure.”
Zverev said the situation will be clearer “in a few weeks”.
The elder Nadal has previously worked with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, after guiding his iconic nephew for much of his career.
Patrick Mouratoglou is now available after four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said on July 28 that she has split with him after less than a year.
“Merci Patrick... it was such a great experience learning from you,” the former world No. 1 said on X.
The Japanese star teamed up with the Frenchman, the long-time coach of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, in September 2024.
Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur rallied from a set down and saved three match points to claim the Washington Open title with a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final of the ATP 500 event on July 27.
Canada’s Leylah Fernandez produced a dominant performance to defeat Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 and win the WTA Tour’s DC Open in Washington. AFP
