Alex Eala Reflects on Coaching with Toni Nadal Ahead of Clay Court Season Alexandra Eala returned to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca to prepare for the clay-court season, marking her first tournament at the Linz Open. The 20-year-old Filipina, who recently competed in the Miami Open, spent time training on indoor clay courts at the academy, with legendary coach Toni Nadal present to oversee her progress. Eala’s return to the facility, which has been a cornerstone of her development, coincided with her focus on adapting to the unique demands of clay court play. During her time at the academy, Eala emphasized the importance of refining her movement and ball-feel techniques, which she believes have improved significantly. “I feel like I’m moving better than I did last year,” she said, expressing satisfaction with her physical readiness for the clay season. Eala acknowledged the limited time the WTA Tour provides for transitioning between hard and clay courts, noting that her preparation included a brief break after Miami before resuming training. “I didn’t have much time, but we worked a lot on feeling the ball and moving well,” she explained. Eala’s collaboration with Toni Nadal, the long-time coach of her uncle Rafael Nadal, has been a pivotal aspect of her recent training. She described the experience as transformative, highlighting Toni’s expertise and the positive impact he has had on her career. “It’s so great to have Toni as part of the team,” she said. “If you had told me years ago that I’d be working with him, my mind would have been blown. He has incredible knowledge and really helps my team.” Eala’s admiration for Toni’s coaching philosophy underscores the value of his mentorship, which she believes has elevated her game.#alexandra_eala #jelena_ostapenko #rafa_nadal_academy #linz_open #toni_nadal
