Rising WTA star Alex Eala has recalled her first two encounters with Rafael Nadal as she revealed she ran after the tennis icon at Madrid airport.

The 2025 French Open will mark Alex Eala’s Grand Slam main draw debut, with the world No 69 set to face 88th-ranked Emiliana Arango in her opening match.

Eala has lost in the qualifying round at majors six times, but her stunning breakthrough run at the 2025 Miami Open in March lifted her ranking well inside the top 100 — allowing her to make the main draw cut at Roland Garros.

The Filipina, who was a wildcard in Miami, stunned Iga Swiatek, Madison Keys and Jelena Ostapenko at the WTA 1000 event.

The world No 69, who turned 20 on May 23, will make history by becoming the first player from the Philippines to play a main draw singles match at

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