Rising tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala is at the centre of a growing storm, with Rafael Nadal reportedly fuming over her recent form slump — and squarely pointing the finger at her current coach, Daniel Gomez, labelling his guidance a “complete disaster”.
Once hailed as the next big thing in women’s tennis, the 19-year-old Filipina sensation has shockingly crashed out of four consecutive WTA tournaments in the first round, sparking fears her once-promising trajectory may be spiralling out of control. According to sources close to Nadal’s Mallorca-based academy, the Spanish legend is “deeply concerned” and ready to step in personally.
“She’s not just losing — she’s regressing,” a source within the Nadal Tennis Academy revealed. “Rafa believes Gomez has mishandled her training, mentally and tactically. He called it a ‘disaster’.”
Eala, a former junior Grand Slam champion and product of the Rafa Nadal Academy, made waves when she turned pro, with many tipping her to break into the top 50 by 2025. But with a string of defeats — including a 6-1, 6-0 blowout loss last week to world No. 143 — her world ranking has plummeted, and so has confidence in her team.
Nadal, who rarely comments publicly on academy graduates, broke his silence in Madrid earlier this week, telling El Diario Deportivo:
“Alexandra deserves better. Her talent is undeniable, but right now she’s not being coached the right way. I would welcome her back to the academy anytime — before it’s too late.”
This stark intervention has ignited a wider conversation in tennis circles about how young stars are managed once they leave the nurturing structure of elite academies. While Gomez has defended his methods, claiming “progress isn’t always linear,” fans and analysts alike are beginning to question his strategies.
On social media, the hashtag #BringEalaBack trended overnight across the Philippines and Spain, with fans urging her to return to Nadal’s tutelage.
Tennis commentator Lucy Gregson weighed in on ABC Sport Radio:
“Eala’s slide is concerning. She has the raw tools to be elite, but the support system around her is clearly faltering. Nadal calling out Gomez so directly? That’s rare — and telling.”
If Nadal follows through on his comments, it could mark a pivotal turning point in Eala’s career. A return to Mallorca might offer her the reset she desperately needs, surrounded by familiar coaches, sports psychologists, and the competitive environment that first shaped her.
