Toronto top seed Alexander Zverev got expert insight from retired rival Rafael Nadal
Germany's Alexander Zverev said that after his 10-day visit to Spain he is still trying to persuade Toni Nadal to join his coaching team.
TORONTO – Alexander Zverev returns to tennis with his confidence under repair after losing in the Wimbledon first round a month ago.
And the world No. 3, playing as top seed at the ATP Toronto Masters, is bolstered by the unique insight from one-time rival Rafael Nadal.
Zverev confirmed on July 27 in Toronto that he had sought advice – and possibly a new coach – as he travelled to Mallorca in July to visit Nadal's training academy on the Spaniard's home island.
While apparently failing to sign Nadal's uncle Toni as his travelling coach, Zverev did have a chance to chat with Nadal, who retired last season.
'(Toni is) a great coach, no question about that, but he's a personality that I think can give you confidence as well,' the German said.
'When he speaks and when Rafa speaks, you listen.
'They definitely spent a lot of hours talking to me, and Rafa gave me some great insight of what it is actually like to play against me.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests
Asia At least six killed in shooting near Bangkok's Chatuchak market; suspect takes own life
Singapore HPB looking for vaping, smoking counselling services for up to 175 secondary school students
Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose
Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge
Singapore Woman allegedly linked to case involving pre-schooler's sexual assault given stern warning
Asia Cambodia says immediate ceasefire purpose of talks; Thailand questions its sincerity
Singapore SMRT reports unauthorised post on its X account, says investigation under way
'He saw me as a player. He sees me now as a spectator. It was very helpful. We spent hours and hours talking, sometimes past midnight at some dinners. It was great to be there.'
Zverev, a 2017 titleholder in Canada who has always been coached by his father, said that after his 10-day visit to Spain he is still trying to persuade Toni to join his coaching team.
'I'm trying to convince him to do more weeks with me, and we'll see how it goes, but he's a very busy man,' Zverev said.
'I'm not sure how much of him you'll see this year, because he gave his word to a lot of events. But we're talking about what a potential partnership could look like, for sure.'
Zverev said the situation will be clearer 'in a few weeks.'
The elder Nadal has previously worked with Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime after guiding his iconic nephew for much of his career.
Patrick Mouratoglou is now available after four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said on July 28that she has split with him after less than a year.
'Merci Patrick... it was such a great experience learning from you,' the former world No. 1 said on X.
The Japanese star teamed up with the Frenchman, the long-time coach of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, in September 2024.
Meanwhile, in on-court action, Alex de Minaur rallied from a set down and saved three match points to claim the Washington Open title with a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final of the ATP 500 event on July 27.
Canada's Leylah Fernandez produced a dominant performance to defeat Russia's Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 and win the WTA Tour's DC Open in Washington on July 27. AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
8 minutes ago
- Straits Times
At least three victims shot in mid-Manhattan skyscraper; suspect 'neutralised'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. An area is cordoned off with police tape during a reported active shooter situation in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S. July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon NEW YORK - A person who opened fire inside a midtown Manhattan skyscraper housing the National Football League headquarters and offices of several major financial institutions, including hedge fund giant Blackstone, has been 'neutralised' the New York city police commissioner said. Police did not immediately make details of the shooting public, but a law enforcement source told Reuters at least one New York Police Department officer and two civilians were struck by gunfire and that the suspect was believed to be dead. The source said the information was preliminary, and the condition or extent of injuries sustained by the police officer and two others was not immediately known. The New York Post newspaper, citing unnamed police sources, reported that a gunman wearing a bullet-resistant vest and carrying an AR-style rifle had opened fire inside the Park Avenue skyscraper, wounding a police officer and a bystander. The Post reported they were in critical condition. The gunman, the Post reported, had barricaded himself inside the office tower, possibly on the 32nd floor of the building. A short time later, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Disch said on X: 'At this time, the scene has been contained and the lone shooter has been neutralized.' The skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue houses a number of financial firms, including Blackstone, the world's largest hedge fund, as well as KPMG and Deutsche Bank, along with the NFL headquarters and the Consulate General of Ireland. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row World US, China hold new talks on tariff truce, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting Asia Giant algal bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, threatens seafood exports Sport Dare to dream, urges Singapore's first International Swimming Hall of Famer Joseph Schooling Singapore 44 suspects under probe for involvement in SIM card fraud Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far News media footage showed a large police presence in the area around the office tower. 'There is an active shooter investigation taking place in Midtown right now,' New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement on social media platform X as news of the shooting first surfaced. The FBI said agents from its New York field office were also responding to provide support at the scene. REUTERS
Straits Times
38 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Colombia ex-president Uribe guilty of abuse of process, bribery of a public official
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Former Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe visits the hospital where Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is being treated after he was shot during a campaign event, in Bogota, Colombia, June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo BOGOTA - A judge on Monday found former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe guilty of abuse of process and bribery of a public official in a years-long witness tampering case, making the right-wing politician the country's first ex-president ever convicted at trial. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia is reading her decision aloud to the court. She found Uribe not guilty of a third charge, bribery. The ruling, which can be appealed, is the latest decision in a hugely politicized case which has run for some 13 years. Uribe, 73, and his supporters say the process is a persecution and that he is innocent, while his detractors have celebrated it as the deserved downfall for a man who has been repeatedly accused of close relationships with violent right-wing paramilitaries, but never convicted of any crime. Each charge carries a jail sentence of between 6 and 12 years. Heredia is expected to sentence Uribe in a later hearing. "Justice does not kneel before power," Heredia told the court on Monday morning, before spending about nine hours reading her decision. "It is at the service of the Colombian people." "We want to say to Colombia that justice has arrived," the judge said, adding her full decision is some 1,000 pages long. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row World US, China hold new talks on tariff truce, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting Asia Giant algal bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, threatens seafood exports Sport Dare to dream, urges Singapore's first International Swimming Hall of Famer Joseph Schooling Singapore 44 suspects under probe for involvement in SIM card fraud Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far
Straits Times
38 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Police say shots reported fired inside Park Avenue skyscraper in Manhattan
Find out what's new on ST website and app. An area is cordoned off with police tape during a reported active shooter situation in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S. July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon NEW YORK - New York City police converged on a Park Avenue skyscraper in midtown Manhattan where gunshots were reported fired on Monday inside the tower housing offices of several financial firms and the headquarters of the National Football League, police said. The New York Post and CNN, both citing police sources, reported that the gunman killed himself. The New York Post newspaper, citing unnamed police sources, reported that a gunman wearing a bullet-resistant vest and carrying an AR-style rifle opened fire inside the skyscraper, wounding a police officer and a bystander. The Post reported they were in critical condition. The gunman, the Post reported, had barricaded himself inside the office tower, possibly on the 32nd floor of the building. NBC News said police were responding to a reported active shooter incident in which at least one person was shot. The report cited sources. The skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue houses a number of financial firms, including Blackstone, KPMG and Deutsche Bank, along with the NFL headquarters and the Consulate General of Ireland. There was large police presence in the area, according to media footage. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row World US, China hold new talks on tariff truce, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting Asia Giant algal bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, threatens seafood exports Sport Dare to dream, urges Singapore's first International Swimming Hall of Famer Joseph Schooling Singapore 44 suspects under probe for involvement in SIM card fraud Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far "There is an active shooter investigation taking place in Midtown right now," New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement on social media platform X. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said that she could only confirm that a report of shots fired was made from the a skyscraper. The NYPD said in a statement posted on X there was police activity in the area but did not provide further details on the incident. The FBI said agents from its New York field office were also responding to provide support at the scene. REUTERS
