Alexandra Eala recently spoke about a milestone moment in her career after she trained with Rafael Nadal for the first time at his academy in Mallorca. The Filipino tennis player described the session as deeply meaningful, saying the opportunity to share the court with Nadal was something she had dreamed about for years while developing at his training base in Spain.
A Closer Look at Alexandra Eala’s Development at the Rafa Nadal Academy
Eala’s development has been closely linked to the Rafa Nadal Academy. She joined the academy in Manacor, Mallorca, in 2018Â as a standout junior and spent years training under the system built around Nadal’s philosophy.
That foundation helped her achieve strong results at the junior level and transition steadily into the professional ranks. Now 20, Eala has begun to establish herself on the WTA Tour and is ranked world No. 53, marking 2025 as a breakthrough year on the senior circuit.
Recalling the practice in an Instagram video shared by the academy’s official account, Eala emphasized how special the experience felt on a personal level. “It was so special for me,” she said. “Obviously, training with Rafa is something that people and young kids can only dream about.”
She emphasized that being on court with Nadal was both inspiring and instructive. “It was such a pleasure to share the court with him,” she added. According to Eala, Nadal was hands-on during the session and offered specific feedback. “He gave me some tips on my forehand and a few other small advices,” she said.
It was also the first time she had ever hit with him. “This is the first time I’ve ever hit with him in my life and it’s just a memory that will last forever.”
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What Rafael Nadal Said About His Practice Session With Eala?
Nadal also addressed the session with Eala, noting it was his first time back on court since retiring in November 2024. He made the comments in a brief exchange with journalist José Morgado that was later shared on X.
“I played 45 minutes with Eala, they asked me to play and I was happy to do it. If I don’t have to run, that’s fine. Through the academy I’m still involved and I watch whatever I feel like. I don’t follow the day-to-day like before,” he said.
Nadal also shared how retirement has brought him peace by ending the daily pressure to perform, though he admitted nothing in life fully replaces the intensity of competition.
