Alexandra Eala battled through an almighty first-round contest at the US Open.
After the heartbreak of losing her first WTA Tour final at the Eastbourne Open, Eala found herself in a similar scenario in New York, where she was passing up on multiple match point opportunities in the final set tiebreak against Clara Tauson.
However, Eala held her nerve against the 14th seed, eventually winning 6-3 2-6 7-6.
By doing so, Eala has become the first-ever Filipino player to win a Grand Slam match.
Eala has been training for several years at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. The work she has put in at the academy has clearly paid off, as she is now one of the brightest young prospects on the WTA Tour.
In an interview with the Tennis Channel, the 20-year-old revealed what she has learned from tennis legend Rafael Nadal while training at his academy.
Alexandra Eala has taken inspiration from Rafael Nadal’s work ethic
During the interview, Eala was asked about what she has specifically learnt from Rafael Nadal since working at his academy.
In response, Eala pointed to Nadal’s work ethic, noting his ‘unmatched’ ability to suffer.
Interviewer Jon Wertheim asked: “What have you learned from Mallorca? What have you learned from Rafa specifically?”
Eala replied: “From Rafa specifically, there’s a lot to learn.
“I think just his work ethic is something I admire a lot. His ability to suffer is something that Rafa has got kind of unmatched.
But that’s something I’m also trying to learn. There are some aspects of tennis and being a professional athlete that aren’t as enjoyable as others.
“So being able to stick through it and want to do it, you know, want to go through it is something that he [Nadal] embodies very well.”
Who will Alexandra Eala face in the US Open second round?
Alexandra Eala’s opponent in the US Open second round will be Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
Eala and Bucsa have played each other once before, over four years ago. The pair met at an ITF tournament in Grenoble, France.
In that meeting, Eala claimed victory by a scoreline of 2-6 6-3 7-6.
Four years later, the pair will contest their second meeting on a much grander stage.
The winner of Eala and Bucsa will face either 19th seed Elise Mertens, or former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lulu Sun.
