Alexandra Eala, the rising star of tennis, recently revealed a heartwarming moment that added to her remarkable journey at the Miami Open. After reaching the final of the prestigious tournament, Eala received a congratulatory message from none other than Rafael Nadal, one of the sport’s greatest icons.
Eala, who has trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy, expressed her gratitude and excitement upon receiving the message. She shared that Nadal’s words of encouragement meant a great deal to her, especially as she continues to make her mark on the international tennis stage. The Filipino prodigy described the message as a source of inspiration, motivating her to push further in her career.
The Miami Open was a breakthrough moment for Eala, as she showcased her talent and determination by defeating several top-ranked players on her way to the final. Her performance captured the attention of tennis fans and experts alike, solidifying her status as a player to watch in the coming years.
“Rafa messaged me,” said Eala, speaking on Power and Play. “It was the first time he ever messaged me personally so I think that was a shock to see.
“Funny story, I only saw it like a couple of days. It was exciting to see his notification.”
Alexandra Eala in 2025
Now the world no.75 (career-high), Alexandra played her last match on the 27th of March when she lost to world no.4 Jessica Pegula 7-6(3) 5-7 6-3 in the semifinal in Miami (draw).
This season Eala has a composed 14-8 record. Alexandra Eala’s most significant accomplishment of the current season was getting to the semifinal in the Canberra and Miami.