In a rare and inspiring moment at the Rafa Nadal Academy, tennis legend Rafael Nadal himself stepped in to offer personal guidance to rising Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala. Joan Bosch, Eala\u2019s coach, recounted the experience, as both unexpected and unforgettable, praising Nadal’s humility and generosity in taking the time to mentor a young athlete.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was lucky firstly for Alexandra, and then for us, because it helps you to know how good it is that you have someone behind you, and you can’t have someone better than him right\u201d, said Bosch in a\u00a0candid interview\u00a0at the Madrid Open.<\/p>\n
Alexandra Eala (PHL) waves to fans while leaving the court after her match against Jessica Pegula<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cIt was then that Toni (Nadal) was also there and he was commenting on a couple of topics with Rafa (Rafael Nadal). Then Rafa buy his own decision, because he wanted to come down because I guess he felt identified (with the situation), no? Because he even told Alex (Alexandra)-this used to happen to me too-try to do this other thing. And who better than him to know how to improve things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Eala bowed out of the Madrid Open after an enthralling encounter against Iga Swiatek earlier this week.<\/p>\n
According to Bosch, Nadal observed Eala\u2019s struggles and decided to personally step in\u2014not out of obligation, but because he empathized with the challenges she was facing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only that he then picked up the racquet and started hitting some serves to teach her what he was saying,\u201d Bosch continued. \u201cAlex when he finished was looking at me and told me-i can’t believe it! And that’s the luck of being at Rafael Nadal Academy.\u201d<\/p>\n