Toni Nadal says he told Alexander Zverev that he must ‘accept’ that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are better than him, while hailing Rafael Jodar as the ‘best of the new generation’ during a recent speaking event.
After Jannik Sinner’s shock withdrawal from the upcoming US Open, Zverev will lead the final Grand Slam of the season as the top seed.
Little over two months ago, he won his maiden Grand Slam title – at the French Open – and, a few weeks later, went back to the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time, losing out to Sinner in a tight final.
Given the results and the Italian’s absence, it is not a bold claim to suggest that Zverev is the odds-on favourite in New York.
However, in a recent interview for Men’s Health, Toni Nadal – who coached Rafael Nadal since he was three years old – revealed that he gave the German some candid advice surrounding his mindset against the world’s best.
Zverev has travelled to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca post-Wimbledon for the last two years, often seen with Toni and Rafael Nadal courtside.
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“There are two players who are extraordinary, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but I think the others have lost faith a bit,” suggested Nadal.
“I advised Alexander Zverev that you have to accept that they are a little above him, but I gave him the case that, with Rafael -his nephew-, Federer and Djokovic above their rivals, Andy Murray won three Grand Slams and Stan Wawrinka won another three. We have to go for it.
“We both know that when you go out to play against Alcaraz or Sinner you will be less likely to win, but fight and try to be present all the time; and, in the end, you’ll likely have your reward. I can’t guarantee it, but obviously, if you try to do things well, knowing the difficulty, you will be able to achieve it.
“David Ferrer never gave up and neither did Murray when he fought Federer. He lost more times, yes; but he didn’t give up before leaving.”
Most recently, Zverev lost in his first match in Toronto (to Tallon Griekspoor) and fell in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open (to Tommy Paul).
Nadal also gave a rare insight into the future of Spanish tennis, after being asked about rising star Jodar.
The young Spaniard has had a breakthrough 2026 season, winning his first ATP title (in Marakeech), reaching the last eight at the French Open and Madrid Open, and the semi-finals of the recent Canadian Masters.
The 19-year-old sensation started 2025 ranked as the world No 895 and has now reached a career-high ranking of world No 11.
“I am liking Rafael Jódar a lot because of what I have seen. It seems to me that it is the best of the new generation,” analysed Nadal.
“He is 19 years old and has burst onto the circuit very strongly. He’s a guy who, in a short time, has gone from being an unknown and playing in satellites or tournaments prior to the professional circuit, to beating a Top 10 player and giving Sinner a fight.
“I don’t think he’s an Alcaraz, I don’t think he’s as good as him, but I think he’s going to put the best in the world in trouble because he’s a brave guy in difficult moments. All this can lead him to achieve great goals.”
