Rafael Nadal opens up on having practice session with Alexandra Eala

Overview

• Rafael Nadal recently had a practice session with Alexandra Eala at his academy, his first in nearly a year
• The 22-time Grand Slam winner helped the emerging star to learn, sharing his experience in the process
• The Spaniard revealed that he played for about 45 minutes with the emerging star

Rafael Nadal recently had a practice session with Alexandra Eala at his academy, his first in nearly a year. The 22-time Grand Slam winner helped the emerging star to learn, sharing his experience in the process. The Spaniard revealed that he played for about 45 minutes with the emerging star.

In an interview with Movistar+, the veteran opened up on his practice session with Eala and revealed that he was happy to do so. The former World No.1 felt it was fine as long as he didn't have to run. Nadal was glad to be involved in Tennis in some capacity through his academy.

Also Read: Madison Keys claims Tennis fans have skewed expectations, thanks to Big 3 and Serena Williams

"I played 45 minutes with Eala; they asked me to play, and I was happy to do it. If I don’t have to run, that’s fine. Through the academy, I’m still involved, and I watch whatever I feel like. I don’t follow the day-to-day like before," Nadal said in the interview. He later opened up about his life since retiring from the sport.

"A stage that was exceptionally beautiful and exciting for me has ended," - Rafael Nadal on his retirement life

The Spaniard added that he has been at peace with not having to feel the responsibility to perform. "I gained peace, in the sense that, in a way, you don’t feel that daily responsibility to perform," Nadal added in his statement. The former Olympic Gold Medalist noted the challenges of being an active player, noting how difficult things could be in unsuitable conditions.

Also Check: Throwback to what Novak Djokovic said about Iga Swiatek in 2023

"Sometimes performing under unsuitable conditions wears you down as a person, and you end up not being as happy as someone like me should be. The bad thing is, in the end, a stage that was exceptionally beautiful and exciting for me has ended," Nadal added in his statement.