Alex Eala’s coaching move is the right call ahead of the clay season
Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images Alex Eala navigated the Sunshine Double well, handling the significant pressure that came with defending a large chunk of her ranking points for the first time. Her run to the semi-finals in Miami last year was a turning point that helped her reach new levels since then. But even with her growing fanbase and obvious talent, there are still clear areas in her game that are slowing down what’s already been a remarkable climb.
The good news for both Eala and her supporters is that she’s already made a decision ahead of the clay-court season that could address one of the biggest gaps in her game. Alex Eala is seen working with Toni Nadal as the clay season approaches Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images She was spotted training at the Rafa Nadal Academy, a place she knows well from her time there as a junior. But what caught everyone’s attention was the coach who was helping her out that day.
Toni has been open about his thoughts on what she needs to improve since she started making waves on tour. Now, it looks like he’ll get the opportunity to put some of those ideas into action. Toni Nadal spoke openly last year about the main area he feels Eala needs to work on One thing that stands out about having Nadal involved in her training is his clear understanding of what she needs to address in her game.
When a coach has been alongside a player for so long, it can be difficult to identify certain flaws. Sometimes, an outside voice can see things more clearly. Last season, as Eala was beginning to make headlines, Nadal spoke up: “It is true that she still has ups and downs, like in the 2-0 in the second set, where she needed to be a bit more aggressive with the serve, which made her falter a bit, but these things are typical of her age.
” Nearly 12 months later, Eala’s serve is still seen as an area that holds her back at times. The fact he was already aware of this before stepping in highlights why bringing him on board makes sense. Even if it’s only temporary, his experience could help speed up her progress.