By JAN CARLO ANOLIN
No less than World No. 2 tennis player Rafael Nadal paid a visit to his students Thursday at the Manacor tennis court in Mallorca, Spain.
Alex Eala, Philippines’ top junior netter, was among the players who met Nadal as seen in the photo set posted by the Rafa Nadal Academy on social media.
Nadal was joined by his uncle Toni and coach Gabi Urpi, former tennis players who lead the academy’s technical staff, the Spanish national daily sports newspaper Marca reported.
According to the RNA website, Tony heads the academy itself while Gabi oversees the women’s tennis department.
Last March, Eala was forced to pull out of her second International Tennis Federation (ITF) women’s tournament in Tunisia due to the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The academy had ordered all its travelling players and coaches to return to Mallorca for precautionary measures.
The 14-year-old RNA scholar currently ranks fourth in the ITF Juniors World Ranking following a successful stint at the Australian Open Junior Championships last January.
Eala settled for a third-round finish in the girls’ singles and captured the girls’ double crown with Indonesian partner Priska Madelyn Nugroho.
Meanwhile, Alex’s older brother, Miko is set to join Penn State University next fall, the academy announced on Instagram Friday.
“Not only will he start his college studies there but he will also play for their tennis team in Division I,” the academy wrote.
“We are very proud of you and we hope that you have the best experience in Penn State. Congratulations Miko and best of luck for this new adventure‼️”
