World no. 4 junior player Alexandra Eala and other athletes-scholars of the Rafa Nadal Academy are staying safe, and doing their best to stay in shape, and remain sharp in Mallorca, Spain.
The 14-year-old Eala said this as she assured her parents and supporters in the Philippines of her status.
“I very much miss being on court and competing in tournaments, but in this difficult time there is not much that any of us can do,” said Eala in an online statement.
Last month, Eala skipped her second professional tournament due to corona virus threat in Tunisia.
Her coaches from the RNA asked Eala to return to Mallorca together with other scholars so they can isolate themselves from the ongoing pandemic.
Spain is one the two European countries with the most reported coronavirus infections, and it has recently logged the lowest daily death toll since March 23.
Eala, along with her brother Miko are now training indoors, and have been doing a lot of outdoor activities.
“Right now, I’m just doing some physical activities which are going to help me stay fit and be ready for when I get back on court,” added Eala.
For the young Eala, she had a successful start in 2020.
This is after she won the Australian Open Junior doubles champion last January.
She partnered with Indonesia’s Priska Madelyn Nugroho for formidable partnership at the hard courts of Melbourne Park in the girls’ doubles.
Their victory over Slovenia’s Ziva Falkner and Matilda Mutavdzic of Great Britain in the finals proved to be a milestone for Eala.
With Spain’s lockdown expected to continue until May, athlete scholars at the RNA also keep themselves busy by attending to their studies via online linkages.
“The academy is taking all the necessary precautions and, for now, I am not doing any workouts outdoors or in big groups of people. Since school has been moved online for the time being, I don’t have a problem keeping myself occupied,” stated Eala. Peter Atencio
Since last year, Eala has been with the RNA with her brother Miko, they have since been studying at the American International School of Mallorca.
Eala was picked as a scholar in RNA in 2018.
She started training there after scouts discovered her after she won won the Les Petits As tournament in France.
