Rafael Nadal marked the first anniversary of his retirement with a surprise return to the practice court. Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala joined Nadal for a training session at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor on 19 November 2025. The session drew global attention as fans reflected on Nadal's career and watched the 22-time Grand Slam champion rally with an athlete who grew up training in his academy system.
Videos released by the academy showed Nadal and Eala locked into long baseline exchanges. Nadal joked that he would be stronger during their next practice, while Eala responded by saying he looked as if he had never stepped away from the sport. Their familiarity, built over many years of shared training culture, created a moment that resonated deeply with fans of both players.
