Aryna Sabalenka praised Alexander Eala’s talent after her match at the Italian Open, and sent a powerful 8-word message to her coach Rafael Nadal, leaving fans in awe!
Rome was buzzing with excitement this week as tennis stars from around the globe gathered for the prestigious Italian Open. But amidst all the headlines about top-seeded wins and dramatic tie-breaks, one moment stood out — not because of the score, but because of a heartfelt tribute from Aryna Sabalenka to a rising talent from the Philippines: Alexander Eala.
Following her straight-sets victory in the third round, Sabalenka stunned the media during her post-match interview. While many expected her to speak about her preparation, strategies, or even her next opponent, she instead shifted the spotlight to someone completely unexpected — a 19-year-old Filipino-Spanish rising star who hadn’t even played that day.
“Alexander is not just talented,” Sabalenka said, “he’s fearless, and I see something very rare in him.”
A Surprise Shoutout That Turned Heads
Alexander Eala, the older brother of women’s tennis prodigy Alex Eala, has recently turned heads with his transition from junior tennis to a more aggressive playing style on the ITF and Challenger circuits. Though still relatively unknown on the global stage, it seems that top-tier players like Sabalenka have been quietly watching.
“He’s got the mentality,” Sabalenka continued. “I’ve seen the way he trains. His composure under pressure… it’s Nadal-esque.”
That one word — “Nadal-esque” — was enough to ignite speculation, admiration, and even a few tears from passionate tennis fans.
