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Boris Becker has shared a positive view on Alexander Zverev’s possible partnership with Toni Nadal. Footage recently surfaced showing Zverev training with the veteran coach at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Toni famously coached his nephew Rafael to 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles and is widely respected in the tennis world.

Zverev has primarily been coached by his father, Alexander Sr., with his brother Mischa also playing a role in his team. Despite past collaborations with big names like Ivan Lendl, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and David Ferrer, none of those partnerships lasted. Following his French Open quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic, Becker was among those to question Zverev’s current coaching structure. Becker said in a podcast with Andrea Petkovic:

If Toni Nadal is indeed Sascha Zverev’s new coach, then he’s got it all. I find this combination very interesting. I hope it happens. The choice is excellent, but it will be a very tough Spanish school.

The German’s struggles continued with a surprise first-round loss at Wimbledon to Arthur Rinderknech. After the match, Zverev admitted he had been feeling lonely and hinted that changes to his team could be necessary. Withdrawing from the Swiss Open, he is expected to return at the Canadian Open, where he was champion in 2017.

Though there is no official word yet on a full-time partnership with Toni Nadal, Becker believes such a move could help Zverev finally break through at the Grand Slam level. Zverev, ranked world No. 3, has reached three major finals but is still seeking his first title. He has enjoyed success elsewhere, including Olympic gold, two ATP Finals wins, and seven Masters 1000 trophies.

Alexander Zverev’s brother gets huge news on his career

Mischa Zverev, a former professional tennis player and long-time ATP Tour member, has taken on an important role in supporting his younger brother, Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev. Since stepping away from the sport, Mischa has remained active in the tennis world through mentorship and off-court involvement.

He is set to appear on a live episode of the podcast Mental Health is Body Health, hosted by Leroy Henze. The discussion will center on mental health in elite sports, with Mischa sharing insights from his own career. Topics will include dealing with pressure, coping with setbacks, staying disciplined, and maintaining proper nutrition.

Drawing from his own experiences, Mischa will also reflect on the mental challenges faced by athletes, especially those preparing for major events like the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. His perspective is grounded in years of competing at the highest level and now mentoring an elite athlete.

The episode will also delve into how family support influences performance and mental strength. Mischa will highlight how mental wellbeing can be developed outside of professional systems, making the conversation relevant not just for athletes, but for anyone interested in health and balance.

Alexander Zverev set to skip Swiss Open

World No.3 Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from the Swiss Open in Gstaad following his early exit from Wimbledon. The tournament organisers confirmed his decision on Thursday, stating it was due to personal reasons. Zverev had lost a tough five-set match to France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the first round at Wimbledon.

After the loss, Zverev spoke openly about his struggles, saying he felt “empty” and was considering therapy. He acknowledged the emotional toll of the defeat and hinted that professional help might be needed to regain his focus.

In recent years, Zverev has dealt with various off-court challenges. While he previously tried to separate those issues from his tennis, he admitted they have begun to affect his performance. He said seeking counselling could be an important step toward mental recovery.

The Swiss Open will also be without defending champion Matteo Berrettini , who pulled out due to an undisclosed injury. With both high-profile players missing, the tournament will see a reshuffled lineup.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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