Iga Swiatek and Alexandra Eala have reunited at the Rafael Nadal Academy, for the first time since 2023.
Both players are preparing for their first clay court tournament of the year, with Swiatek working with her new coach Francisco Roig for the first time.
Eala is set to play the Linz Open in Austria, while Swiatek is set for a bumper Women’s Stuttgart Open alongside Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka.
Ahead of their return to the WTA Tour, Eala has sent a message to the world number two on social media.
Alexandra Eala’s message for Iga Swiatek
Eala and Swiatek were pictured together in the Rafael Nadal Academy gym, three years after their last meeting.
Swiatek attended the graduation ceremony at the Rafael Nadal Academy in 2023, which saw Eala head out into the professional sphere for the first time.
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Sending a picture of her graduation with her millions of fans, Eala sent Swiatek: “Still can’t believe I have this picture with you.”
It’s been quite the journey for Eala since that picture in 2023. Less than a year later and she was beating Swiatek at the Miami Open in her breakout tournament.
The pair met one more time on the WTA Tour last year, at the Madrid Open, which was won in three sets by the Polish star.
They came incredibly close to a third meeting at this year’s Miami Open, but it was scuppered by Magda Linette beating Swiatek in the second round.
What Iga Swiatek has previously said about Alexandra Eala
Swiatek and Eala’s relationship might have shifted from when they first met, but there is still mutual respect between the two.
The Pole has often praised Eala and took some time at this year’s Australian Open to share thoughts on her burgeoning popularity.
What is the best win of Alexandra Eala’s career so far? 🤔
Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?
“For sure she’s a nice person and I think personality-wise she also deserves to be supported I guess because she has all the good qualities,” she explained.
“Also, like, I guess coming from a smaller country, you will be kind of bigger because it’s not like they have many athletes that they can look up to, I guess. Not sure.”
Swiatek is also under no illusions at the powers Eala possesses when they get onto the tennis court.
“Her game style is pretty different I would say, with change of rhythm, a lot of slices, a lot of shots that she can surprise with. Yeah, I guess she can for sure sometimes use that as a surprise.”
Both players will surely be hoping they can play a third time on the WTA Tour on the clay court swing.
