Alexander Zverev is heading into the US Open with a boost that few players can claim: direct feedback from Rafael Nadal himself. The German world No. 2 spent time training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca as part of his preparation for the North American hard-court swing, and he has been effusive about the experience.
Zverev noted that Nadal visited the courts on two occasions during the training block, while Toni Nadal was a regular presence throughout. Having competed against Rafael Nadal for roughly a decade, Zverev described the value of hearing his perspective not only as a rival but as someone capable of identifying room for improvement. "It was a great help to have him on the court," Zverev said in a video shared by the academy.
The timing could hardly be better for Zverev. He arrived in Mallorca riding the momentum of a landmark 2026 campaign. His French Open triumph over Flavio Cobolli ended a painful sequence of three straight Grand Slam final losses. Then came Wimbledon, where he advanced to the final without having previously reached even the quarterfinals at the All England Club, before falling to Jannik Sinner in four sets. That run lifted him to world No. 2, above Carlos Alcaraz, for the first time since March 2025.
Zverev also highlighted practical benefits of training in Mallorca, pointing to the heat as ideal conditioning for conditions in New York, plus the privacy and world-class facilities the academy provides.
At the US Open, which runs August 30 to September 13, Zverev brings a strong track record, having reached the quarterfinals or better in four of his last five appearances, including a heartbreaking 2020 final loss. TennisDraw users will want to keep the newly minted Roland Garros champion near the top of their US Open bracket predictions.
