Alexandra Eala paid tribute to Rafael Nadal after making history at the 2022 US Open.
Eala joined the Rafa Nadal Academy when she was just 13 years old, before graduating five years later.
The Filipina had already achieved major success in that time, with Eala becoming the first player from her country to win a junior Grand Slam title.
Having already won two Grand Slam junior doubles titles, Eala would win the girls’ singles US Open title in 2022, and after her victory she spoke about Nadal.
What Alexandra Eala said she idolised about Rafael Nadal after winning the junior US Open
Eala beat Czech Lucie Havlikova 6-2, 6-4, in the US Open girls’ final in 2022 in a historic moment for tennis in The Philippines.
In her post-match press conference after the match, Eala was asked who her idol was and about how she ended up practicing at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
“Well, I think my idol is obviously Rafa,” responded Eala. “But I’m not just saying that because I’m in his academy (laughter).
“No, he’s a very good role model, something a lot of people should idolise and try to be. I won a tournament a couple years ago, maybe three years ago, in France. The academy reached out to my parents. After a while, long discussions, we decided that I would be based there.”
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Eala was then asked a follow-up question about Nadal and why she looks up to him so much, to which she revealed that she had tried to channel him throughout her run to the US Open title.
“The biggest thing I notice in Rafa is how he fights till the end, how his thoughts are so clear,” said Eala. “He’s so calm, but at the same time so fired up. I think I really tried to channel that energy during this whole week.
“That’s also what I tried to show, people who look up to me, is to think with a clear head and to not act irrationally.”
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How did Rafael Nadal react when Alexandra Eala won the junior US Open title?
Not only did Eala pay tribute to Nadal, but she also received a message from the 22-time Grand Slam champion on Instagram.
Nadal wrote in the comments of Eala’s Instagram post, “Congrats on this great achievement and keep the good and hard work!!!! Vamos!”
Nearly four years on from her US Open win, Eala is one of the most popular players in tennis after a breakthrough year on the WTA Tour.
Even after leaving his academy, Eala still has a good relationship with Nadal, who has been a keen supporter of hers as she has risen up the rankings.
Eala has even practiced with Nadal, which she admitted that she was ‘so nervous’ for.
Expectations are now sky high for Eala, who will be targeting senior Grand Slam success to replicate her victory on the junior circuit.
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