Alexander Zverev, currently ranked third in the ATP, was recently seen training with Toni Nadal at the Rafael Nadal Academy, sparking talks of Nadal joining Zverev’s coaching team. This move comes shortly after Zverev’s unexpected first-round loss to Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon, prolonging his search for a Grand Slam title.
Toni Nadal, who has been without a coaching role since splitting with Felix Auger-Aliassime last year after a four-year partnership, is reportedly adding his extensive experience to support Zverev’s pursuit of major success. Nadal’s renowned coaching tenure was largely defined by his work alongside his nephew Rafael Nadal from 1990 to 2017.
John McEnroe’s 2015 Call for Rafael Nadal to Replace Toni Nadal
In 2015, during a period marked by disappointment for Rafael Nadal, tennis legend John McEnroe publicly urged Nadal to consider changing his coaching setup. After Nadal’s surprising defeat at Wimbledon to Dustin Brown, ranked 102nd globally, McEnroe advised the Spaniard to “get a new damn coach.”
On BBC Radio 5 Live, McEnroe expressed the need for fresh ideas in Nadal’s camp, saying,
“It might be time for some fresh blood in the [Rafael] Nadal camp.”
He added that others close to Nadal had also attempted to persuade Toni Nadal to step back, although delicately, acknowledging the elder Nadal’s long-standing contribution:
“Are we even allowed to say that? Uncle Toni’s going to be upset,”
McEnroe remarked.
He further stated,
“They have tried to gently persuade Uncle Toni, who has done a magnificent job since Rafa was a little kid. Clearly, at this stage, it would appear that some fresh ideas are in order.”
McEnroe’s critique came during a stretch when Nadal failed to capture any of the nine Grand Slam tournaments he entered from 2014 through 2017. Although Nadal did not immediately act on this critique, he eventually added Carlos Moya to his coaching team at the end of 2016. After Moya took over as head coach, Nadal returned to prominence by winning the 2017 French Open, his first major title in three years. With Moya’s guidance, Nadal went on to claim seven more Grand Slam titles, culminating in a record 22 major wins, second only to Novak Djokovic.
Examining the Compatibility of Toni Nadal and Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev’s coaching history includes several notable Spaniards besides his current father-coach, Alexander Zverev Sr. From 2017 to 2018, he worked with Juan Carlos Ferrero, followed by stints with Ivan Lendl and David Ferrer, each lasting roughly a year. During his time with Ferrero, Zverev achieved the Canadian Open title, but their partnership ended amid challenges.
Ferrero once revealed in a podcast why their cooperation fell short, citing Zverev’s inconsistency on the court:
“[Alexander] Zverev was, for example, three hours on the court, but he could not perform quality training for an hour and a half,”
he explained, adding that punctuality and respect for the team were also issues:
“At the time, we collided due to his lack of punctuality and lack of respect for the team members.”
Toni Nadal, known for his stern and disciplined approach, may find such challenges difficult to accept. Should the rumored coaching relationship with Zverev become official, the player might need to adjust his attitude to meet Nadal’s high standards.
Zverev is set to resume competition at the 2025 Canadian Open beginning July 28, marking a significant event where the impact of any coaching changes could become apparent.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is John McEnroe a millionaire?
A. John McEnroe’s net worth is estimated to be about £90 million. During his career, he secured 77 titles, earning around £10 million in prize money. Considering the inflation rate since the mid-1980s, that amount would be roughly £35 million today.
Q. How rich is John McEnroe?
A. John McEnroe has a net worth of $100 million. In his career, he won 155 titles, 17 major championships, and more than 1,400 matches.