Joselito Malig

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Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

Alex Eala has returned to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain for clay-court training with all her coaches, including Toni Nadal, and is set to play her first-round match of the 2026 clay season at the WTA 500 in Linz on Tuesday, April 7.Eala said they didn’t have much time to transition from the hard courts of the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami to clay—just about a week—but every training day was treated with intention. She feels extremely blessed to have all her coaches, including Toni Nadal, preparing her for the clay-court swing.“No, I think it’s so great and we’re so blessed to have Toni as part of the team. If you had told me that years ago, my mind would have been blown. But it’s nice because he really has that knowledge, obviously, and he’s able to help my team. So yeah, just a great experience overall,” she said.Eala likes how she feels heading into the clay season.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/4/5/tennis-alex-eala-to-play-austria-s-grabher-in-linz-open-debut-1929">READ: Alex Eala to play Austria&#x27;s Grabher in Linz Open debut</a></div>“We worked a lot on feeling the ball and moving well. I think I’m moving better than I did last year. So yeah, I’m happy about that,” said Eala.Eala has been in Linz for a few days and says she loves the country, noting how special the tournament is as it celebrates its 35th year on tour.“This is my first time competing in Austria. I’ve been here before, but not for tennis.”“It’s super nice, very cozy. It’s kind of cold, so the indoor setup with heaters is great. I was able to run around—nice city, very quaint. So I like it,” said Eala.The tournament itself feels special, and she is excited to play for the first time on the new indoor clay courts.“Yeah, this tournament has a really long history, so I’m super excited to be here. It’s obviously a great tournament—500 level on clay. I think this will be my first 500 on clay, so that says a lot about my improvement from last year. I’m just taking it in stride and I’m excited,” Eala said.The indoor clay courts, set up in less than a week in Linz, bring a different feel—but the Filipina is ready.&quot;I think they’re a little bit different from a normal clay court because they’re built fast and taken out fast too. But it’s no big deal. It’s a very beautiful court, very beautiful stadium. So I’m excited to play—hopefully I’ll be on center,&quot; said Eala.As a sidelight, Eala was happy to chance upon a Filipino food store while jogging with her coach in Linz—but she didn’t indulge.&quot;No, by chance. I was on a run with my coach and then—lo and behold—we’re everywhere. We’re really everywhere,&quot; she said. “No, not yet. Medyo delikado kumain—I mean, delikado for the diet.&quot;Eala is in Linz with one of her coaches, Sandro Viaene. Her other coaches are Joan Bosch and Lluc Bauza. When she’s at the academy, Toni Nadal is also on court with them.“Yeah, so they’re all my coaches. I have Joan and Sandro for tennis, and Lluc for fitness. We try to mix,” Eala explained. “I’m not able to bring all three of them around all the time, so it depends. We plan out the schedule and see what fits, and it works out.”“I think we’re a really well-oiled machine, and we get along super well. So good vibes in the team,” added Eala.There is also one important person Eala still turns to for tips—her older brother, Miko Eala, the first champion in the family and the one she started playing tennis with as a child. They recently met up in Mallorca for their mother Riza’s birthday. Miko now works in finance in Madrid.&quot;He gives me tips when I ask. There’s never really unsolicited advice, but he’s definitely very knowledgeable about tennis—and my tennis in particular,&quot; said Eala. “He’s one of the very few people who would know exactly what to do to beat me.”“So yeah, I can bounce my thoughts off him very often,” she added.Eala opens her campaign on Tuesday against Julia Grabher, a player she is quite familiar with.“Yeah, I’ve practiced with her a couple of times before, and she’s a very strong, very fit player,” she said.“So I’m expecting a good battle—and I’m ready. It’s my first match on clay, so I’m super excited.”

Alex Eala has returned to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain for clay-court training with all her coaches, including Toni Nadal, and is set to play her first-round match of the 2026 clay season at the WTA 500 in Linz on Tuesday, April 7.

Alex Eala has returned to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain for clay-court training with all her coaches, including Toni Nadal, and is set to play her first-round match of the 2026 clay season at the WTA 500 in Linz on Tuesday, April 7.

Alex Eala ready to start clay season at Linz Open

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Alex Eala ready to start clay season at Linz Open

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 07, 2026 01:38 AM PHT

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Updated April 07, 2026 12:21 PM PHT

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