Alex Eala’s Airport Encounter: Fangirling Over Rafa!

Rising Filipina tennis star Alex Eala recently shared a heartwarming and humorous story about meeting her idol, Rafael Nadal, for the first time. The anecdote reveals a relatable side of the now-accomplished athlete, showcasing her initial “fangirling” moment with the tennis legend. This comes as Eala continues to make waves in the tennis world, achieving new milestones and drawing inspiration from Nadal’s mentorship.

The Madrid Airport Run-In

Eala recounted the story in an interview with the WTA, detailing her trip to Nadal’s academy in Mallorca for a trial week. “The first time I met Rafa, I was on the way to his academy,” Eala began. “Oh my gosh! I was on the way to his academy because I was going to try it out before, before we committed, I was just going to try it out for a week.”

As fate would have it, Eala and her family ran into Nadal at the Madrid airport. Overcome with excitement, they couldn’t resist approaching him. “We kind of ran after—like, not run after—but, you know, we were fangirling,” Eala admitted with a laugh. They informed Nadal about their trip to his academy, and he graciously took a picture with them. “And then he took a picture with us, and I’ll try to find that picture. That was the first time I actually met Rafa.”

A Manila Clinic Memory

In the midst of recalling the airport encounter, Eala suddenly remembered an even earlier meeting with Nadal during a clinic held at her school in Manila. “Oh my gosh, that was the second time,” she exclaimed. “The first time I met Rafa, he came to my school in Manila for a clinic before his tour—you know, before opening his academy.”

Eala estimated she was around 10 years old at the time, and the event was a significant one. She even had the opportunity to hit a few balls under the guidance of Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni Nadal. “I was probably 10, and it was a big event. They literally held the clinic in the courts of my school, and I remember Toni [Nadal] fed me a couple of balls. Yeah, there’s a video on YouTube of it. And I talked to Toni about that, that he fed me a few balls while he was in Manila. I mean, he doesn’t remember, probably, but I swear it happened,” she chuckled.

Eala’s Budding Career

Alexandra “Alex” Eala, born on May 23, 2005, is a Filipino professional tennis player who has quickly risen through the ranks. Her recent achievements include:

• WTA Ranking: Eala achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 69 on May 19, 2025, making her the highest-ranked Filipina player in WTA Tour history.
• Miami Open Semifinals: In March 2025, Eala made a historic run to the semifinals of the Miami Open, a WTA 1000 event. Along the way, she defeated three Grand Slam champions: Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek.
• French Open Debut: Eala recently made her debut in the main draw of the French Open, marking the first time a Filipina woman has competed in the singles main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.
• Rafael Nadal Academy Graduate: Eala trained at the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, for several years, graduating in June 2023.

Nadal’s Support and Influence

Nadal has been a source of inspiration and support for Eala throughout her career. He congratulated her after her Miami Open performance, writing, “We are extremely proud of you, Alex. What an incredible tournament! Let’s keep dreaming!” He even sent her a personal message, which Eala described as a “shock to see.”

Eala’s coach, Joan Bosch, also shared an experience where Nadal personally offered guidance to Eala at the Rafa Nadal Academy, showing his dedication to mentoring young athletes. Bosch recounted, “It was lucky firstly for Alexandra, and then for us, because it helps you to know how good it is that you have someone behind you, and you can’t have someone better than him right.”

Nadal’s influence extends beyond mentorship. Eala’s training at the Rafa Nadal Academy has undoubtedly shaped her skills and approach to the game. The academy provides a comprehensive program that focuses on technical, tactical, physical, and mental development.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite her talent and success, Eala faces challenges common to athletes from the Philippines. Limited resources and lack of government support can hinder the development of aspiring athletes. Fortunately, Eala’s family has been able to provide financial support, allowing her to pursue her tennis dreams. She also has sponsorships from Globe, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Nike, and Babolat.

Eala’s uncle, Noli Eala, who is also the former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, emphasizes the importance of private sector funding for Filipino athletes. “Very few companies really have the capacity to help out, but Alex has been very fortunate,” he said.

Eala’s Bright Future

At just 20 years old, Alex Eala has already achieved significant milestones in her tennis career. With her talent, determination, and the support of her family, coaches, and mentors like Rafael Nadal, she is poised for even greater success in the years to come. Eala’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in the Philippines and around the world, demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, dreams can be realized.

As Eala continues to climb the WTA rankings and compete on the world stage, her story of fangirling over her idol and receiving his support along the way adds a personal and heartwarming dimension to her already impressive career.