Nadal straightforwardly explains why Zverev has yet to win a Grand Slam title

Three Grand Slam finals appearances... losing all three. What exactly is Alexander Zverev’s problem?

Alexander Zverev’s dream of winning his first Grand Slam title remains unfulfilled, despite showing promising signs at the 2026 Australian Open. Once again, Zverev came very close to a Grand Slam final, but the crucial moment slipped away from him — something that, according to Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and longtime coach, mainly stems from psychological issues.

In Melbourne, Zverev delivered one of his best performances in years. In the semifinals, the former world No. 2 had a great chance to defeat Carlos Alcaraz while serving and was just one game away from victory on Rod Laver Arena. However, physical and mental fatigue at the critical moment caused Sascha to lose his advantage, allowing Alcaraz to win four consecutive games and secure a spot in the final.

Although he lost, the 2026 Australian Open showed a more aggressive and proactive Zverev who maintained a high level throughout most of the tournament. He understands that to compete fairly against current top male players like Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, he must change. However, as insiders have noted, the German player still lacks the final piece to break through.

In an interview with the program Radio Estadio, coach Toni Nadal gave a candid and notable assessment.

"Sascha is a highly competitive player and extremely dangerous for any opponent.", Nadal shared his thoughts. "But he is missing something mentally. Everyone understands that Zverev is under huge pressure because he has yet to win a Grand Slam."

According to Toni Nadal, this psychological burden causes Zverev difficulties during decisive moments. When the match reaches its critical phase, the pressure to win and break the "Grand Slam curse" seems to prevent him from playing freely and instinctively at his best.

Zverev’s next big chance to test Toni Nadal’s observation will come in the summer at Roland Garros — the second Grand Slam of the year. On the clay courts of France, Sascha will not only face top opponents but, more importantly, battle the mental pressure that has haunted him throughout his career.