Zverev reportedly eyeing Nadal camp to join coaching team

Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal share a moment at the net in Paris. (Getty/Dimitar Dilkoff)

A dark period for world No.3 Alexander Zverev might begin to pass following reports of a coaching shakeup involving the Nadal family.

According to Sky commentator Paul Häuser, Rafael Nadal's uncle, Toni Nadal, who coached his nephew until 2017, is tipped to become Zverev's new coach.

He also reports that Rafa could become a mentor off-court to help deal with his mental struggles that have plagued the majority of his 2025 season.

Zverev has clinched one title since finishing runner-up to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January, but the 28-year-old failed to surpass the quarter-finals in Paris and was bundled out in the first-round at Wimbledon.

"I feel very alone out there at times. I struggle mentally. I've been saying that since after the Australian Open," he told reporters after his five-set loss against Arthur Rinderknech at the All England Club.

"I'm trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it in a way.

"I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice.

"I've been through a lot of difficulties. I've been through a lot of difficulties in the media. I've been through a lot of difficulties in life.

"I've never felt this empty before. Just lacking joy, just lacking joy in everything that I do. It's not necessarily about tennis. Just lacking joy outside of tennis."

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A video was posted on X showing Zverev training with Toni Nadal at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Spain's Mallorca.

Zverev, who has lost all three major finals he has featured in, is currently coached by his father, Alexander Zverev Sr.

Toni Nadal was in Rafa's corner as coach for 16 of his 22 Slam triumphs, and has also coached Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime from 2021-2024.

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