Alexander Zverev recently offered a candid revelation regarding invaluable advice he received from tennis legend Rafael Nadal, a conversation that took place during their time in Mallorca ahead of the Canadian Open.

While speculation initially surrounded a potential coaching collaboration between Zverev and Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, during their Mallorca training stint, the German refuted these rumors. He clarified that despite the time spent with Toni, no formal partnership materialized.

Instead, the focus shifted to a significant interaction Zverev shared directly with the 22-time Grand Slam champion himself. During his pre-Toronto preparations for the North American hard-court swing, Zverev recounted having dinner and also training sessions with Rafael Nadal.

Zverev expressed astonishment at Nadal’s enduring intensity, noting that even at 39 years old, the Spaniard exhibited a remarkable level of competitive fire reminiscent of his professional playing days. This observation underscored Nadal’s unwavering dedication to the sport.

Their on-court history is well-documented, with Zverev facing Nadal eleven times. Despite winning only four of these encounters, a notable victory for Zverev came in their most recent clash at the 2024 Roland Garros first round, where he defeated the 14-time champion in straight sets. However, Nadal dominated crucial matches, including the 2022 French Open semi-finals and the 2018 Italian Open final.

The core of Nadal’s advice, as revealed by Zverev on a podcast, centered on the imperative for greater aggression on the court, particularly within Grand Slam environments. Nadal emphasized that a lack of proactive play leaves a player vulnerable and susceptible to defeat in pivotal matches.

This counsel resonates deeply with Zverev’s career trajectory, as he continues his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title despite reaching three major finals. His most recent Grand Slam final appearance was at the Australian Open in January, followed by another at the 2024 French Open, both resulting in losses to top-ranked opponents.

Zverev’s recent performances have been mixed; he won the Munich Open but struggled to meet expectations in subsequent tournaments, including early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon after failing to defend crucial points. Nadal’s strategic guidance could prove instrumental in overcoming these hurdles.