Photo by Alexandra Eala Instagram/Rafa Nadal Academy Facebook
Rafael Nadal may have never clinched the Miami Open crown despite being a five-time finalist, but his Rafa Nadal Academy is making waves this year.
The spotlight was on the Academy’s rising stars during the Miami Open’s first week. Young Filipina Alexandra Eala, 19, and 20-year-old Coleman Wong from Hong Kong, both honed at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, achieved formidable upsets against top-seeded American players.
Eala, a wild card entrant, delivered a stunning blow to Australian Open champion Madison Keys with a 6-4, 6-2 victory. This groundbreaking win makes Eala the first Filipino woman in the Open Era to topple a Grand Slam champion at this prestigious event.
In a display of spirited tennis, Eala’s triumph marked her as the first Filipina to conquer a Top 10 player—an inspiring moment for Filipino tennis. She finds herself in the company of Naomi Osaka and Zheng Qinwen as the only Asian teenagers in the past decade to defeat a Grand Slam champion.
With a strong admiration for Nadal, Eala wields a Babolat racquet and sports Nike attire, just like her idol. The thrill of her victory was encapsulated in a jubilant “Vamos!”—a nod to her roots and the journey that has brought her here.
Moving to the Academy at the age of 13 alongside her brother Miko, Eala reflects on how the institution has significantly influenced her career. “The Academy has been like a second home for seven years,” she shared, acknowledging her family’s foundational support and the Academy’s role in her growth.
The men’s side saw World No. 182 Coleman Wong achieve a shocking upset of his own. Facing 13th-seeded Bent Shelton, Wong emerged victorious with a 7-6(3), 2-6, 7-6(5) scoreline, becoming the lowest-ranked male to reach the Miami Open round of 32 in the last ten years.
“This win is for Hong Kong,” Wong declared, receiving praise from the Rafa Nadal Academy for his historic feat. His triumph was lauded on social media by Rafael Nadal himself, who expressed pride in Wong’s success.
Eala and Wong enjoy a close friendship, frequently supporting each other’s endeavors, albeit without romantic involvement, as Eala clarified. “Seeing Coleman do so well is inspiring not just for me, but for many others,” she noted.
Ruud, seeded fifth and another product of the Academy, added to the momentum by advancing to face Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 32. Meanwhile, Spain’s Jaume Munar, ranked 56th, nearly edged out Gael Monfils, falling just short in a thrilling three-set match.
These accomplishments at the Miami Open coincide with the anniversary of Nadal’s memorable journey to the 2017 final. Back then, on Crandon Park’s courts at Key Biscayne, Nadal triumphed over Fabio Fognini to compete in his fifth Miami final.
However, it was Roger Federer who ultimately dashed Nadal’s hopes, claiming the title 6-3, 6-4 and completing the Sunshine Double in their 37th rivalry clash. Federer’s fourth consecutive victory over Nadal at the time put the finishing touches on his resurgence.
The Rafa Nadal Academy’s impressive performance in Miami serves as a testament to its strong training and the promising futures of its students.
