Alexandra Eala shared a candid moment off the court, recalling missing a direct message from Rafael Nadal for four days after her breakout run in Miami last year. The Filipino rising star admitted she was overwhelmed by attention at the time and did not immediately check her phone, only to later discover that one of tennis’ greatest icons had reached out to her.
Her reaction, as she described it, was a mix of shock, panic, and gratitude.
Alexandra Eala Shares Story of Late Reply to Rafael Nadal After Miami Surge
The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate’s reflection comes during her latest appearance at the 2026 Miami Open, where she is competing in the main draw. Seeded 31st this year, she earned a first-round bye and then defeated Laura Siegemund 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-3.
Eala is continuing to build on her growing success at the tournament and is set to face Magda Linette in the third round. Her steady progress in Miami has made her one of the more compelling young names to watch, which explains the surge of attention she referenced.
This will mark their fourth clash on the WTA Tour, with Linette holding a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head record.
MORE: Alexandra Eala Admits Tennis Isn’t ‘Whole Life’ To Avoid 2026 Season Burnout
Speaking in a Tennis Channel segment after her opening win, Eala shared the story in full when asked if any special messages stood out during her rise. “Actually, Miami of last year, my phone was blowing up, and I tried not to look at it a lot,” she said. “Rafa sent me a message, but I saw it four days later. I left him on delivered for four days, and I almost died. But he was super nice.”
Eala went on to explain how she handled the situation after realizing what had happened. “First of all, I apologized for getting back to him so late. I said thank you, and I’m fortunate enough to have seen him many times. So yeah, I say thank you all the time.”
How Did Eala Describe the Experience of Training With Nadal for the First Time?
Eala spoke about her first training session with Rafael Nadal at his academy in Mallorca. In a video shared on the academy’s official Instagram account, Eala said the experience felt especially meaningful 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.”
The Filipino star said that being on court with Nadal was motivating and offered important lessons. “It was such a pleasure to share the court with him. He gave me some tips on my forehand and a few other small advices,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve ever hit with him in my life and it’s just a memory that will last forever.”
Eala has been closely connected to the Rafa Nadal Academy since joining as a standout junior, where years of training helped her build a strong foundation and transition into the pro circuit.
