By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alex Eala has graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy after five successful years as a junior player.
The 18-year-old Filipino tennis sensation proudly marched as an RNA full scholar during the ceremony.
Eala, who moved to Mallorca, Spain with her family to pursue tennis at age 12, highlighted her juniors career with her historic 2022 US Open girls’ singles title.
“Really to be where you are today is because you have made an effort, you have believed in yourselves. I think you have achieved one of the first goals, which is to graduate. I personally am proud of you,” said 22-Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal during his speech in Spanish.
In her time at the RNA, Eala won her first Grand Slam in the girls’ doubles category in the 2020 Australian Open and followed it up by another in the 2021 French Open.
Just two weeks ago, Eala captured her first pro title this year in one of the two International Tennis Federation (ITF) events that she joined, which was the W25 Yecla crown in Spain.
She also made a quarterfinals appearance in the W25 Madrid the following week which propelled her to the No. 228 world ranking after struggling to find footing in the past months.
World No. 1 and recent French Open champion Iga Swiatek was a guest of honor and was seated beside Eala at some point during the ceremonial rites.
