"Next time I will be stronger 😉": Rafael Nadal enjoys practice session with Alexandra Eala

On November 19, 2024, Rafael Nadal played the final match of his career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

One year to the date Wednesday, the 22-time major dusted off his racquets for a special hit.

On the opposite side of the net? Rafa Nadal Academy graduate and fellow left-hander Alexandra Eala.

“One year later, it felt great to be back on a tennis court,” Nadal wrote on social media.

“It was great to practice with you Alex Eala! Next time I will be stronger,” he ended with a wink emoji.

Responded Eala on Instagram, “Back like you never left!”

The trailblazing Filipino emerged as one of the breakthrough stories of the 2025 season. In a year that saw her defeat Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek en route to the Miami Open semifinals, contest her first WTA final in Eastbourne as a qualifier and topple Clara Tauson in a dramatic US Open first-rounder, Eala finished at No. 50 in the WTA rankings.

Earlier this week, the 20-year-old was revealed as one of the WTA Newcomer of the Year nominees. Eala is joined by Lois Boisson, Maya Joint, Iva Jovic, Eva Lys and Victoria Mboko in the award category.