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Rafael Nadal praises Alex Eala's first singles Grand Slam title

Sports

Rafael Nadal praises Alex Eala's first singles Grand Slam title

By Manila Bulletin Sports

Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns a shot against Lucie Havlickova of Czech Republic during their Junior Girl's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (AFP)

By Nikole Javier

Tennis star and current world No. 3 Rafael Nadal congratulated Filipina ace Alex Eala for her first junior singles Grand Slam title last Sunday, Sept. 11.

Screenshot from Instagram

Like with all her previous achievements, the praise came as no surprise as Eala is one of the tennis legend’s scholars at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain.

With admirations that came pouring in, the one Nadal left under her title-winning Instagram post stood out as he has always been her idol

“Congrats on this great achievement and keep (up) the good and hard work!!! Vamos!” to which Eala replied: “always grateful.”

Nadal also reposted the big celebrations in the country on his Instagram story and tagged Eala.

The two wound up on different tracks at the US Open as Nadal suffered an early exit against Frances Tiafoe in the Round of 16 in four sets while Eala continued to smash her way to the finals.

The celebrations have not ceased back at home with the House of Representatives adopting a resolution to hail the tennis prodigy’s feat on Wednesday night, Sept. 14.

“Alex’s feat underscores the kind of dizzying heights the country has achieved in tennis and her exemplary performance, which is one of the greatest in Philippine sports history, deserves utmost commendation and distinction for the honor and glory it brought to the country,” said House Resolution No. 362.

“Resolved by the House of Representatives, to congratulate and commend Alexandra ‘Alex’ Maniego Eala for being the first Filipino to win the Junior Grand Slam Girls Singles Title in the 2022 US Open Tennis,” it continued.

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