Alex Eala is still having goosebumps as she recalls her practice session with the legendary Rafael Nadal. 

Eala, 20, said training with the 22-time Grand Slam champion was one of her highlights in 2025 and something she will carry as she braces for the Australian Open on 17 January. 

The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is currently in New Zealand to prepare for the season-opening Auckland Open on Monday. 

“It was so special for me. Obviously, training with Rafa is something people and young kids can only dream about. So it was such a pleasure to share the court with him,” Eala said. 

“He gave me some tips on my forehand and a few other small pieces of advice. This is the first time I’ve ever hit with him in my life, and it’s just a memory that will last forever.”

Nadal has been the catalyst for Eala’s rise in women’s tennis. 

His Academy became Eala’s training ground since she was 13 years old and led to a US Open junior women’s title in 2022. After graduating in 2023, Eala slowly rose in the WTA rankings until she got her big break in 2025, thanks to her Miami Open run last March, where she beat Grand Slam winners such as Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, Madison Keys of the United States and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland.

She also made it as high as No. 50 in the WTA, making it the best ranking by any Filipino tennis player. 

Eala is expected to compete in the French Open, Wimbledon Championships and US Open this year as long as she stays within the Top 100 of the WTA rankings. 

A stint in the 20th Asian Games in Japan from 19 September to 4 October could also happen if it doesn’t interfere with her schedule in the professional circuit. 

Should Eala compete in the Asiad, she will be gunning for the gold medal in the women’s singles after settling for a bronze medal in the Hangzhou edition in China back in 2023.