In a revelation that left an entire nation stunned and emotional, Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala broke her silence on why she will not be competing at this year’s Roland Garros tournament—a decision that has rippled across both the tennis world and the hearts of her millions of fans.
Eala, who has been rising rapidly through the ranks of the WTA and capturing global attention with her fierce playing style and charismatic presence, had been widely expected to make a strong run at the French Open this year. But as the draw was released, her name was nowhere to be found.
Speculation had swirled for days. Was it an injury? A scheduling decision? A quiet suspension? The truth, as revealed in a heartfelt press conference in Manila, turned out to be far more personal—and far more heartbreaking.
“I’ve decided not to compete at Roland Garros this year,” she began, holding back tears. “Not because of injury or politics or pressure, but because of something that matters even more to me—family.”
According to Eala, her grandmother, who had been battling illness for months, entered a critical condition just weeks before the tournament. The tennis prodigy made the difficult decision to remain in the Philippines to spend precious time with her and her loved ones, putting her family above fame.
“She’s the one who first handed me a tennis racquet when I was five. She believed in me before anyone else did,” Eala said, her voice trembling. “I couldn’t play a tournament knowing I might miss my last chance to thank her.”
Thousands tuned in to the live broadcast across TV networks and social media, and what followed was an outpouring of emotion rarely seen in Philippine sports coverage. Fans flooded social platforms with the hashtag #WeStandWithAlex, sharing their own stories of sacrifice, family, and gratitude.
But the moment that truly brought the nation to tears came later that evening when Alexandra posted a handwritten letter on Instagram—signed by none other than her longtime mentor and idol, Rafael Nadal.
In the letter, Nadal wrote:
“Dear Alex,
I want you to know that I’ve never been more proud of you. Tennis will always be here, but moments with the ones you love won’t wait. You made the right choice.
No one has ever treated me like this—as a mentor, as a human being—with such loyalty and heart.
You are not just a champion on court, but a champion in life.
Vamos siempre,
Rafa.”
The post quickly went viral, with celebrities, athletes, and fans worldwide praising both Alexandra’s strength and Nadal’s moving gesture. Even Serena Williams commented: “That’s what true greatness looks like. Family first. Respect.”
For years, Eala had trained under the wing of Nadal at his academy in Mallorca, developing not just her skills but a bond with the tennis legend many considered to be like a second father to her. The depth of their connection had always been admired, but this letter exposed a more tender and profound dynamic between two generations of champions.
Eala’s team confirmed she would be back on the court for the grass season, targeting Wimbledon as her return stage. Still, her absence in Paris left a void not just in the tournament, but in the story of this year’s Grand Slam season.
“She had the chance to shine on one of the biggest stages, but chose something bigger—love, family, humanity,” said one Filipino sports journalist. “And in doing so, she may have just made the most powerful statement of her career.”
Meanwhile, as the clay courts of Roland Garros saw rising stars and veterans battle for glory, there was a quiet sense that something—or someone—was missing. Fans in the Philippines organized public viewing events not for the tournament, but to honor Eala’s grandmother and her unwavering decision. Messages of support poured in from Tokyo to Toronto, proving that Alexandra Eala has touched more hearts than a trophy ever could.
It remains to be seen whether this deeply personal chapter in her life will shape her career moving forward. But one thing is certain: Alexandra Eala may have stepped away from the tournament, but she stepped even deeper into the hearts of people around the world.
And sometimes, that’s the kind of victory that matters most.
