In a surprising twist that has fans divided and social media buzzing, tennis legend Rafael Nadal has seemingly distanced himself from rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala—his longtime protégé at the Rafa Nadal Academy—by openly backing world No. 1 Iga Świątek to win the 2025 Madrid Open. The unexpected move has sparked speculation of a “broken friendship” between the two, with insiders claiming tension has been brewing behind the scenes.

Once a Close Bond

Alexandra Eala has long been considered one of Rafael Nadal’s closest academy protégés. After joining the Rafa Nadal Academy in her early teens, Eala rose rapidly through the junior ranks, capturing hearts with her fierce determination and grace under pressure. Nadal himself often praised her work ethic and discipline, citing her as an “example for young athletes worldwide.”

Over the years, fans admired their warm mentor-protégé relationship, often seeing them train side by side or exchanging supportive messages online. Many even expected Eala to be Nadal’s symbolic torchbearer in the WTA world—a new generation shaped by one of the greatest.

A Cold Shoulder in Madrid?

But everything seemed to shift earlier this week when, in a pre-Madrid Open press conference, Nadal was asked who he believes has the strongest shot at winning the women’s title in 2025.

Without hesitation, he replied:
“I think Iga Świątek is in a league of her own right now. If I had to bet on anyone, it would be her.”

Conspicuously absent from his remarks? Alexandra Eala—who, while not among the tournament’s top seeds, has shown steady improvement and recently notched wins against higher-ranked opponents. The omission left many fans stunned.

“She’s literally trained under him for years, and he didn’t even mention her?” one fan tweeted. “Feels like something deeper is going on.”

Tensions Behind the Scenes?

According to insiders close to the Rafa Nadal Academy, the relationship between Nadal and Eala has become strained in recent months. Rumors point to differences in training philosophy and career direction, with Eala reportedly seeking more autonomy in her development and occasionally training with outside coaches.

One source claimed, “There’s no bad blood, but things aren’t as warm as they used to be. Rafa is very hands-on, and when someone shifts direction, he takes it personally—especially if it’s someone he’s mentored from the ground up.”

Others speculate that Nadal’s strong endorsement of Świątek is purely strategic. The Polish star has dominated the tour in recent years, and her clay-court mastery makes her a safe favorite in Madrid. But the emotional undertone of his statement was hard to miss for fans of the once-tight Nadal-Eala duo.

Eala’s Silence Speaks Volumes

So far, Alexandra Eala has made no public comment on Nadal’s statement. However, sources say she was “hurt” by the omission, especially after years of public and private support. “She’s focusing on her game and letting her racket do the talking,” said a member of her team.

Despite the drama, Eala remains focused. She’s expected to face a tough second-round opponent in Madrid, and many eyes will be watching—not just to see if she can win, but to see if she makes any subtle response on court.

End of an Era?

While it’s too early to definitively call this a “break” between Nadal and Eala, the emotional distance is clear. For fans who watched their bond grow over the years, it’s a bittersweet moment that highlights how even the closest sports relationships can shift with time and success.

Only time will tell if the two can reconcile—or if Eala will forge a new path, no longer in the shadow of her legendary mentor.