This week, Zverev is training at the Rafael Nadal Academy under the direct guidance of Toni Nadal. This decision comes shortly after the German player's first-round exit from Wimbledon. Prior to that, he lost in the Halle Open semifinals to Daniil Medvedev and in the Roland Garros quarterfinals to Novak Djokovic.

"It's ridiculous; sometimes I feel very lonely," Zverev said two weeks ago before leaving Wimbledon. "I'm really struggling mentally, trying to find a way out of this slump. Overall, I feel very isolated, and it's not pleasant at all."

Zverev during his loss to Rinderknech in the first round of Wimbledon earlier this month in London, England. Photo: Reuters

Zverev during his loss to Rinderknech in the first round of Wimbledon earlier this month in London, England. Photo: Reuters

Zverev holds a 35-14 win-loss record this season, with his sole title coming in Munich. Earlier this year, Zverev started strong, reaching the Australian Open final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. However, the following months proved challenging for the 28-year-old, as he suffered a series of notable defeats. These included losses to Learner Tien in Acapulco, Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells, and Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

In a commentary for El Pais this month regarding Zverev's Wimbledon defeat, Toni Nadal expressed empathy for the three-time Grand Slam finalist. He stated, "I respect Zverev, and I want him to understand what I'm saying. He has received a lot of criticism over the years, but he hasn't made the necessary changes to win a major. This has led to increasing frustration for him."

Zverev is among the most successful contemporary players, consistently ranking within the top 5 globally. He boasts 24 titles, including seven Masters 1000 and two ATP Finals. Additionally, he is the 2021 Olympic singles champion in Tokyo.

Toni Nadal is considered one of the most successful coaches of all time, having guided his nephew, Rafael Nadal, from the age of 17 to conquer the heights of tennis, including 14 Grand Slam titles between 2005 and 2017. After parting ways with Nadal, he primarily focused on teaching at the Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where he serves as Director. He later mentored Felix Auger-Aliassime as a part-time advisor.

Vy Anh