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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala shares practice session with Rafa Nadal

Alex Eala shares practice session with Rafa Nadal

Published Nov 20, 2025 08:12 am

At A Glance

  • The 22-time Grand Slam champion posted on social media a video of him practicing with Eala at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain.
Alex Eala, left, with Rafa Nadal. (Rafa Nadal Academy)
Alex Eala, left, with Rafa Nadal. (Rafa Nadal Academy)
Alex Eala shared a practice session with retired tennis legend Rafa Nadal, who was back on the court on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Mallorca, Spain.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion posted on social media a video of him practicing with Eala at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain.
“One year later, it felt great to be back on a tennis court. It was great to practice with you, Alex Eala! Next time I will be stronger,” Nadal wrote in the post.
Eala, meanwhile, replied on the post: “Thank you for today, Rafa.”
The Rafa Nadal Academy also shared pictures of the two.
“A truly unique day at the Academy: @alex.eala on court with Rafa Nadal, one year after his last match at the Davis Cup. Incredible to see him back on court, sharing his passion and knowledge,” the academy wrote.
It can be recalled that Nadal’s last match was in November last year in Malaga, Spain to Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup Finals, where he lost, 6-4, 6-4.
Eala, ranked No. 50 in the world, meanwhile, has been practicing for future tournaments following her breakthrough season in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) this year.
Her semifinal finish at the Miami Open, where she defeated former Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek along the way, opened doors of opportunity in several high-ranking tournaments.
Starting the season ranked No. 147, she also captured her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico last September, and played her first Grand Slam main draw match at the Roland Garros.
She is also being eyed to represent the country in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
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