Rafael Nadal is again on court docket a yr after retiring from skilled tennis — to not compete, however for one thing extra significant. In a heartfelt social-media put up on the anniversary of his retirement, the 22-time Grand Slam champion shared a video of himself training with rising star AlexandraEala, a former scholar from his RafaNadal Academy.
Nadal retired in October 2024 and performed his ultimate match on the Davis Cup Finals later that November on the age of 38. In his put up, he wrote: “One yr later, it felt nice to be again on a tennis court docket! Subsequent time I might be stronger.” In the course of the apply session with Eala, he appeared relaxed and joyful, even laughing when she hit a robust forehand previous him.
For Eala, now 20, the session held particular which means. She skilled at Nadal’s Mallorca-based academy from the age of 13 and graduated in 2023. Since then, she has made outstanding progress on the WTA Tour. In 2025, she shocked former main champions on the Miami Open, defeating Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys, earlier than reaching a career-defining win over IgaSwiatek, 6–2, 7–5, to achieve the semi-finals.
Nadal’s relationship with Eala extends past apply. After her Miami Open success, he praised her on social media: “We’re extraordinarily pleased with you, Alex. What an unbelievable event! Let’s hold dreaming!” Their bond grew additional when she claimed her first WTA125 title in 2025, prompting Nadal to ship heat congratulations.
Eala has made fast strides in her profession, turning into the primary Filipino within the Open Period to win a Grand Slam main-draw matchThe then 19-year-old shocked 14th seed Clara Tauson with an exciting 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 comeback victory on the US Open earlier this yr, She additionally not too long ago achieved her career-best WTA rating of No, 50,
Rafael Nadal stays one of many sport’s all-time greats. He has gained 92 ATP Tour singles titles, together with 22 main titles, with a report 14 French Open crowns, alongside 36 Masters titles and two Olympic gold medals.
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