Alex Eala and Casper Ruud share a common history, having both developed at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
The academy is located in Manacor, the hometown of 22-time Grand Slam champion and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
And it has helped progress the careers of many ATP and WTA players, several of whom are now impressing on the professional circuit.
That includes Eala and Ruud, who have just played a central role in helping create history for the famed academy.
Alexandra Eala will finish 2026 ranked — in the world
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Alex Eala and Casper Ruud help create Rafa Nadal Academy history
Following the conclusion of the French Open, six players developed at the academy are now simultaneously ranked in the world’s top 100, as per its official X account.
That is across the ATP and WTA tours, with Norwegian ace Ruud the highest-ranked ATP player, and Filipina ace Eala the highest-ranked WTA player.
Ruud has just risen two spots to 14th in the ATP rankings, while Eala has climbed four places to 33rd in the WTA rankings.
Joining Ruud in the ATP top 100 are Jaume Munar and Martin Landaluce, in 44th and 58th respectively.
And on the WTA top 100 are Solana Sierra in 56th and Alina Korneeva in 96th.
All six players involved in the record deserve huge credit, along with those helping shape the players at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
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Alex Eala’s superb WTA rankings rise
Alex Eala certainly didn’t enjoy the stay at the French Open that she was hoping for, having lost her opening match.
Fellow WTA rising star Iva Jovic defeated Eala 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Grand Slam, but the Filipina bounced back in stunning fashion.
| Top rank by year | Year-end ranking | |
| 29 | 2026 | |
| 50 | 2025 | 50 |
| 143 | 2024 | 158 |
| 189 | 2023 | 205 |
| 214 | 2022 | 219 |
| 505 | 2021 | 529 |
| 1180 | 2020 |
She immediately turned her focus to the Birmingham Classic, where the 21-year-old went on a five-match winning streak to clinch the WTA 125 title.
The world number 33, who finds herself just four places off her career-high rank, is now looking for further success at Queen’s.
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