Alex Eala shares what Rafael Nadal is really like behind the scenes

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Alex Eala moved to Spain at the age of 13 to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy.

Since then, the Filipina has become one of the biggest stars in women’s tennis, reaching a career-high ranking of 29th in the world.

But what is her relationship with Nadal like today?

Appearing as a guest on the ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘ podcast, Eala shared what the legendary Spaniard is really like behind the scenes.

Alex Eala says Rafael Nadal is ‘very down to earth’ but admits she is still scared to talk to him

Roddick asked Eala to recall her first interaction with Nadal.

“The first interaction with Rafa [Nadal] in the academy space, around that time, was not actually in the academy,” she said.

“So, before, we did like a trial, one week, see how it goes…

“My parents, my brother, and I, we flew over, and in the Madrid airport, we just happened to pass by Rafa on the way to his academy.

“We kind of chased him down! ‘Rafa! We’re going to your academy, can we take a pic?, and yeah, he took a pic with us.

“That was the first interaction I remember in Spain.

“So a good way to start, I’d say!”

Eala explained what her relationship with Nadal was like from then on.

“After that, I don’t really remember. He was there a lot, and he’s very down to earth when you talk to him,” she said.

“He asks questions and things like that.

“But he’s Rafa, so you’re always going to be scared. I’m always still scared.

“I don’t know what to say. I always get very tongue-tied.

“It doesn’t get easier!”

Eala may still get nervous around the Spaniard, but Nadal clearly respects her.

Last year, Nadal posted the following message on Instagram after training with Eala.

“One year later, it felt great to be back on a tennis court,” he said.

“It was great to practice with you, Alex Eala!

“Next time I will be stronger.”

Eala later thanked Nadal for the training session in the comments.

“Thank you for today, Rafa,” she said.

The 20-year-old would be wise to call upon Nadal again, as she approaches the clay-court season…

Alex Eala should train with Rafael Nadal to prepare for the clay season

Nadal is the greatest clay-court player of all time.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Rafael Nadal on clay

• 14 French Open titles
• 12 Barcelona Open titles
• 11 Monte-Carlo Masters titles
• 10 Italian Open titles
• 484-51 record (90%)

There is nobody better to talk to about clay-court tennis than the 22-time major champion.

Eala knows this and should act now.

The Filipina struggled on clay last year, winning just two matches, and has yet to show any real form on the surface.

Alex Eala on clay in 2025

• 2025 French Open 1R [LOSS] vs Emiliana Arango
• 2025 Italian Open 1R [LOSS] vs Marta Kostyuk
• 2025 Madrid Open 2R [LOSS] vs Iga Swiatek
• 2025 Madrid Open 1R [WIN] vs Viktoriya Tomova
• 2025 Oeiras 125 2R [LOSS] vs Panna Udvardy
• 2025 Oeiras 125 1R [WIN] vs Anouk Koevermans

Alex Eala’s career stats on clay

Eala has only won three WTA Tour main draw matches on clay.

If she wants to become a top player on all three surfaces, that needs to change in 2026.

Learning from the best to ever do it could push Eala to find success on clay this year.

And it would be beneficial for Eala to do so, having just suffered her first major ranking dip in Miami.

Failing to defend her semifinal points from last year, the Filipina will drop out of the world’s top 40 when the next set of rankings are released.

But, given she performed so poorly on clay last year, Eala has an opportunity to charge back up the rankings, with a few good results.

Only time will tell how well Eala will perform on clay in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

Eala will return to tennis at the Linz Open in Austria on Monday, April 6.