Rafa Nadal Academy rising star Alexandra Eala receives wildcard for Miami Open 2023 main draw 

After making her main draw debut at the Miami Open last year, Alexandra Eala has received a wildcard entry and another opportunity to share the court with top tennis players at the WTA 1000 tournament later this month.

The 2023 Miami Open is scheduled to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium from March 21 to April 2 and will be graced by World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff. Eala has been under the guidance of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy since the age of 12.

At the 2022 US Open, the 17-year-old Filipino star became the first-ever player from her country to win a Grand Slam title in the junior category. She did not drop a single set in all six of her matches. The World No. 220 has also lifted two Majors in the junior doubles category — the 2020 Australian Open and the 2021 French Open.

On Tuesday, March 14, the official social media handles of the Rafa Nadal Academy broke the news that two of its players were among the 22 who received wildcards in Miami. Abdullah Shelbayh, who will play in the qualifiers, is a 19-year-old prodigy from Jordan and is currently ranked 276 in the world.

"Miami... Here we go. RNA Players Alexandra Eala (WTA Main Draw) and Abdullah Shelbayh (ATP Qualifying) have received Wild Cards to play the @MiamiOpen. Good luck! VAMOS," the tweet read.

2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu have also received wildcards into the main draw of the upcoming tournament.

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"Nadal doesn't need to directly talk to you to give you advice" - Alexandra Eala

Alexandra Eala (L) and Rafael Nadal

Alexandra Eala has been a student at the Rafa Nadal Academy since she was 12 and has spent a significant amount of time with Rafael Nadal. Last month, the youngster revealed that the Spaniard advised his pupils to always work with people they are comfortable with.

"He said multiple times to surround yourself with good people, and being on the tour and traveling so much since I was at such a young age, I believe that that's really an important guideline, I would say. To be surrounded by good people and to learn good habits," Eala said.

She further remarked that one could learn from Nadal just by observing how he conducted himself on and off the court.

"He doesn't need to directly talk to you to give you advice. It's just so many times, there's so many things that you can learn just by observing. Just by observing how he is on and off the court, how he's humble, his work ethic, and his attention to detail," she added.

The Spaniard is set to return to the tour at the Monte Carlo Masters, beginning on April 9.