Alexander Zverev heads back to Rafa Nadal Academy after the career-defining advice that transformed his tennis

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 at 22:30

Alexander Zverev is back at the Rafa Nadal Academy, but this time under very different circumstances. Just one year ago, the German arrived in Mallorca searching for answers after one of the lowest moments of his career. Now he returns as a Grand Slam champion, world No. 2 and one of the leading contenders to add more major titles after a breakthrough summer.

Before getting back to work, Zverev spent several days in Mallorca and Ibiza alongside Rafael Nadal, enjoying some time away from the pressure of the ATP Tour after the most successful period of his career. Images of the two Grand Slam champions together quickly circulated on social media before Zverev returned to the academy to begin preparations for the North American hard-court swing.

The 29-year-old has wasted little time after a historic clay and grass season. Zverev captured his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, finally breaking through after years of near misses, before producing the best Wimbledon campaign of his career by reaching the final for the first time. It was a remarkable achievement considering he had never previously advanced beyond the fourth round at the All England Club.

The Rafa Nadal Academy later shared footage of Zverev back on court in Mallorca, once again training under the guidance of his father, Alexander Zverev Sr. While Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal were not seen in the latest sessions, the return to the academy carries special meaning after the role both played in helping him overcome one of the toughest periods of his career.

"Rafa and Toni helped me tremendously"

Zverev first travelled to the Rafa Nadal Academy in July 2025 after suffering a disappointing first-round Wimbledon exit and openly admitting he was struggling mentally.

During his 10-day stay in Mallorca, he trained under Toni Nadal while also spending time with Rafael Nadal discussing his game, confidence and the mental challenges that had prevented him from taking the final step in his career.

Alexander Zverev reached his fifth Grand Slam final at Wimbledon two weeks ago, but lost again to Jannik Sinner.

The German later revealed that those conversations became one of the defining moments of his comeback. "Last summer, I went to Mallorca to talk to Toni and Rafa Nadal, and they helped me tremendously," Zverev said during an interview with the ATP Tour one year ago. "I went there, I saw him (Rafa) and it was an amazing 10 days. I really enjoyed it and I'm very thankful to him and to Rafa also for welcoming me the way they did. It was really nice."

Rather than offering only technical advice, Nadal shared his own experiences of repeatedly falling short against Novak Djokovic before eventually finding solutions and returning to Grand Slam-winning form. For Zverev, who was still searching for his first major title at the time, those conversations provided a different perspective during a crucial moment in his career.

Hallo, Sascha! 👋

Great to welcome @AlexZverev back to the Rafa Nadal Academy

Always a pleasure to have you with us! 🎾💙 pic.twitter.com/F4L1BMlySJ
— Rafa Nadal Academy (@rnadalacademy) July 21, 2026

A completely different Alexander Zverev returns to Mallorca

The contrast between the player who arrived in Mallorca last summer and the one training there today could hardly be greater. In 2025, Zverev was searching for answers after another painful Wimbledon defeat and trying to overcome the mental barriers that had followed him during his biggest matches.

Twelve months later, he returns as a completely different player. Zverev finally ended years of frustration by lifting the Roland Garros trophy, capturing his maiden Grand Slam title, before rewriting his Wimbledon history with a first appearance in the championship match.

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Those achievements have cemented his position as world No. 2 behind Jannik Sinner and changed the perception surrounding his career. After years of being labelled one of the greatest players never to win a major title, Zverev now enters the hard-court swing as an established Grand Slam champion and one of the biggest threats at every tournament he plays.

His work is far from over. The German's schedule now turns to the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters, two ATP Masters 1000 tournaments he has previously won, before another opportunity awaits at the US Open, where he finished runner-up in 2020. Returning to the Rafa Nadal Academy may simply be another training block, but it also represents a return to the place where he believes one of the most important turning points of his career began.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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