Former US Open juniors champ Alex Eala names Rafael Nadal as her idol pointing out what skills of the Spaniard inspire her
The teenage tennis sensation also praised Nadal's abilities as a coach.
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Alex Eala and Rafael Nadal (Credits: Rappler and Wikipedia)
There have been many instances where young aspiring players find inspiration from their idols. The same can be said for former US Open Junior winner Alex Eala. For her, her source of motivation comes from the king of clay, Rafael Nadal. Recently, Eala expressed her admiration for the Spaniard and talked about how his determination and hard work helped her to stay grounded and focused.
In recent years, Eala has seen great success in the junior circuit of tennis. One thing that stands out for her is her idol’s passion for the sport. She shared how Nadal loves spending time on the court and how it has helped her to stay passionate. “He loves the work, you can tell,” she observed.
Eala praised Nadal’s coaching abilities and commented on how his insights and statistics regarding the sport are truly commendable. She believes that she is extremely grateful that she got the opportunity to be under the guidance of one of the best tennis players of this generation. She noted, “He’s someone with so much knowledge and so much experience on the tour, so I’ve learned a lot from him.” (H/T: Olympics.com)
However, it’s not just the physical hard work and determination that impressed Eala. She shared how Nadal has great mental strength and how he does not let any loss put him down. It is important for a player to be mentally tough as well, so as to endure the many hurdles that they might face on tour. Eala admired Nadal’s ability to retain concentration during tough periods and remain composed even when faced with adversity on the field.
She also praised his ability to stay motivated throughout matches, demonstrating the unwavering attitude that has distinguished his illustrious career. “His focus and his mental composure. How he’s able to fight so much during the tough points but able to keep his cool when he’s down and stay motivated during the matches,” she observed.
Rising tennis star making waves beyond the court
Eala has made a huge impact by appearing on the cover of Vogue Philippines, an honor that symbolizes her expanding prominence and popularity both inside and outside of athletics. Furthermore, she has struck lucrative collaborations with large businesses, demonstrating her and her team’s shared view that substantial milestones are on the horizon.
Eala’s extraordinary tennis journey has already won her the title of highest-ranked female player in Philippine history. She is currently ranked fourth overall, with Cecil Mamiit‘s performance of reaching world No. 72 in 1999 serving as the closest equivalent.
“I’m super happy to represent my country and do something with a big platform, being able to inspire other younger people,” Eala remarked
Eala is resolved to use the support of 114 million Filipinos at home and many more around the world to her advantage. Her junior US Open victory demonstrated her tenacity and spirit. “I fought with my heart for this trophy. It’s not just my win, it’s all of our wins. I did this not just for myself, I did it so I could help Philippine tennis.“
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Navya Mishra
(407 Articles Published)