Eala graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy (RNA) in Mallorca, Spain on Thursday, June 15, after being a full scholar for five years.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, attended the graduation ceremony and delivered an inspirational speech.

“I personally am very proud of you. I am sure that all the people who have been by your side this time, too,” said Nadal.

“Congratulations. I hope you leave here with the tools you need to face the future, whatever it may be.”

It was at the RNA where the 18-year-old Eala honed her skills on the way to winning multiple titles in the juniors and professional levels.

Eala bagged the girls’ doubles crowns in the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open before she became the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title in the US Open last year.

As a pro, she has three International Tennis Federation (ITF) Tour crowns to her name after ruling the W15 Manacor in Spain two years ago, the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last year, and the recent W25 Yecla in Spain.

“In the end, I am not a person who gives a lot of advice, I am more in favor of learning things through daily examples. I am only going to give one: give yourself opportunities,” Nadal said.

“This is the reality, don’t get frustrated when things don’t work out the first time, don’t get frustrated when you have been trying for a while and things don’t work out. Keep giving yourself chances.”

Newly crowned French Open champion Iga Swiatek of Poland also graced the event. – Rappler.com

The 28-year-old was knocked out by Rafael Nadal in the second round of the championships that year while wearing a white sleeve to cover up his right arm.

“I was genuinely contemplating if I wanted to commit suicide,” Kyrgios says in an episode of the documentary Break Point to be released later this month, according to the newspaper.

“I lost at Wimbledon. I woke up and my dad was sitting on the bed, full-blown crying. That was the big wake-up call for me. I was like, okay, I can’t keep doing this. I ended up in a psych ward in London to figure out my problems.”

Kyrgios wrote a lengthy Instagram post in February last year about his mental health struggles, at the end of which he said he was in a much better place.

“I’m proud to say I’ve completely turned myself around and have a completely different outlook on everything, I don’t take one moment for granted,” he wrote.

“I want you to be able to reach your full potential and smile. This life is beautiful.”

The Break Point episodes chronicle Kyrgios’s run to last year’s Wimbledon final with the highlight of his career so far prompting recollections of the 2019 nadir.

“That pressure, having that all-eyes-on-you expectation, I couldn’t deal with it. I hated the kind of person I was,” he says. “I was drinking, abusing drugs, lost my relationship with my family, pushed all my close friends away.”

“You could tell I was hurting. My whole arm was covered in scars. That’s why I actually got my arm sleeve. To cover it all.”

Reuters was unable to reach Kyrgios or a representative for comment.

Kyrgios’s career renaissance was interrupted around the turn of the year by a knee injury. He returned to action on Tuesday but lost his opening match at the Stuttgart Open. – Rappler.com

Eala saw a steep decline in her world ranking after enduring a rough start to her 2023 season as she failed to make it past the second round in her first eight tournaments of the year in the WTA and International Tennis Federation (ITF) Tours.

The 18-year-old Eala, last year’s US Open girl’s singles champion, reached a career-high world ranking of 214th in October 2022, the highest ranking reached by a Filipina tennis player. She ended 2022 at 217th, good enough to be the highest-ranked Southeast Asian in the world. 

Her subpar results in the first four months of the year caused her world ranking to plummet to 266th in late May, her lowest ranking in over half a year. 

All that changed for Eala as she strung together solid performances in the three ITF W25 events she joined. 

The Filipina tennis ace made the quarterfinals of the W25 Monastir in Tunisia on May 26, the deepest she had gone in a tournament this year. 

She followed this up in impressive fashion by emerging champion of the W25 Yecla in Spain last June 4, capturing her third pro ITF crown.

The following week saw Eala back on the court in Spain, where she secured another quarterfinal appearance in the W25 Madrid.

Eala’s recent strong performance powered her rise in the WTA rankings.

As of June 12, or right after the French Open, Eala sits at 228th in the world, a jump of 38 spots.

She is 40 rungs higher than the next Southeast Asian in the list, world No. 268th Priska Nugroho of Indonesia, who incidentally was Eala’s partner when she won the 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles championship.

Eala will have another chance to ascend further in the world ranking as she is set to join the W40 Palma del Rio in Spain that is scheduled to begin on June 26. – Rappler.com

The Serbian has now won the most Grand Slams of any male player and is the only one to have won each of the four – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open – at least three times.

But of the 23 Grand Slams, only three have come at the French Open with rival Rafael Nadal, who has 22 majors, dominating on clay with 14 wins in Paris.

Djokovic has also won ten times in Australia and three times at the US Open while triumphing seven times at Wimbledon.

“It is no coincidence that I won the 23rd Grand Slam here in Paris because this tournament was really in my entire career the toughest to win,” Djokovic, who has played in the Paris final seven times, said to a cheering crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“A lot of emotions here on this court, also off the court,” he said, after lifting the trophy aloft.

“Thanks one more time for a special atmosphere, a marvellous one. I am very happy to share this special moment of my career with you in this special stadium.”

The 36-year-old won the title without Nadal in the tournament, with the Spaniard missing the Grand Slam due to an injury and surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the year.

Djokovic, who also eclipsed Nadal as the oldest champion in Paris after a tough fortnight, has now won 21 consecutive Grand Slam tournament matches.

He won last year’s Wimbledon, missed the U.S. Open, and won in Australia in January before Sunday’s triumph in Paris.

“I am being fortunate in my life to win 23 Grand Slams. It is an incredible feeling,” he said.

“Whatever you are pursuing, tennis or anything else, I was a seven-year-old dreaming I would win Wimbledon and become No. 1 one day.”

“One thing is for sure, I felt I had the power to create my own destiny. I felt it with every cell in my body.”

Djokovic can now extend his lead in Grand Slam victories with the season moving over to grass and Wimbledon, where he will bid for an eighth title. – Rappler.com

The Serb beat Casper Ruud, 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-5, to eclipse Rafael Nadal’s mark of 22 Grand Slam titles and extend his advantage over the now-retired Roger Federer, who won 20 majors.

The trio have dominated men’s tennis in the last two decades with a collective 65 Grand Slam titles and divide opinion among their loyal fanbases and analysts about who deserves to be known as the best of the lot.

But it is Djokovic who is currently the last man standing among the “Big Three,” with Nadal effectively out for the season following hip muscle surgery, although the Serbian played down the significance of his latest crown.

“I don’t want to say that I’m the greatest,” Djokovic told reporters.

“It’s disrespectful towards great champions in other eras. Each great champion of his generation has left a huge mark and paved the way.”

“I leave these discussions to someone else.”

The 36-year-old won his first Grand Slam title in 2008 when Federer had already claimed 13 of his 20 crowns and Nadal’s era of unprecedented dominance was underway on the Parisian clay, with the Spaniard primed to make inroads on the other surfaces.

“I’ve always compared myself to these guys, the two greatest rivals in my career,” Djokovic said.

“I’ve said before they have defined me as a player. All the success I have, they contributed to it in a way… the countless hours of thinking what it takes to beat them.”

“It’s amazing to know I’m one ahead of Rafa but at the same time everyone writes their own history. I think everyone has a unique journey they should embrace and stick to but of course the three of us and Andy (Murray), we reached the golden era.”

Djokovic’s rise up the overall tally gathered pace in 2011 when he won three majors, a feat he went on to repeat four years later to get into double figures.

The Serbian’s steady progress in the last few seasons is a testament to his mental strength and physical conditioning, even as his fellow contenders for the GOAT title began to feel the effects of their long careers.

Federer brought his career to an end last year at the age of 41 after winning 20 major titles, while the 36-year-old Nadal may face a uphill task to swell his tally, with 2024 likely to be his final year on the tour.

Djokovic has only gotten better with age and his victory over Ruud extended his win-loss record in Grand Slam finals in his 30s to 11-2.

The Serbian’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said he hoped Nadal could return and win another major but had no doubt Djokovic had more titles in him to stay ahead with the calendar slam now a real possibility.

“I’m really sorry Rafa is not here, but I said a long time ago, before even I became member of Djokovic’s team that him and Rafa, they’re going to go over 22,” Ivanisevic said.

“I’m hoping Rafa comes back and wins one more and Novak is the only player who can win a calendar Grand Slam. He was one match away two years ago, so he has a chance this year.”

“It’s still a long way, but Grand Slams are the goal now. I don’t know how many, but he has in his body a lot more.” – Rappler.com

The Serbian is now the only male player to have won each of the four Grand Slams – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open – at least three times.

But of the 23 Grand Slams, only three have come at the French Open with rival Rafael Nadal, who has 22 majors, dominating on clay with 14 wins in Paris.

Djokovic has also won 10 times in Australia and three times at the US Open while triumphing seven times at Wimbledon.

“It is no coincidence that I won the 23rd Grand Slam here in Paris because this tournament was really in my entire career the toughest to win,” Djokovic, who has played in the Paris final seven times, said to a cheering crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“A lot of emotions here on this court, also off the court,” he said, after lifting the trophy aloft.

Djokovic won the title without Nadal in the tournament, with the Spaniard missing the Grand Slam due to an injury and surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the year.

“I am being fortunate in my life to win 23 Grand Slams. It is an incredible feeling,” he said.

Fourth seed Ruud, playing in his third major final after Roland Garros and the US Open, got off to the better start with an early break.

Djokovic, however, rallied back to win the tiebreak, then cruised through the second set and tightened his grip when it mattered in the third.

The 36-year-old third seed sealed an emphatic win when Ruud sent a forehand wide on the second match point.

Djokovic can now extend his lead in Grand Slam victories with the season moving over to grass and Wimbledon, where he will bid for an eighth title.

– Rappler.com

Still in a three-way tie with 20-time major champion Roger Federer and fellow 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the debate on who is the greatest of all time, the Serbian can also become the first male player to claim three titles in each of the four Grand Slams.

While Djokovic, who will take part in a record 34th Grand Slam final, will have experience on his side on court Philippe Chatrier, the fourth-seeded Ruud is unlikely to be as frozen as he was in last year’s final against his mentor Rafael Nadal.

In 2021, Djokovic was on the brink of completing a calendar slam – winning all four majors in the same year – but was beaten in straight sets in the final in New York by Daniil Medvedev.

“Novak is one of the best players in the world, that’s for sure, but when you’re on the brink of history I think that adds a little bit of pressure,” three-time French Open semifinalist Alexander Zverev said.

“You remember the US Open final he had with Medvedev after beating me in the semis still. The pressure… we are all human. Novak is human. We all feel it.”

The 36-year-old has won five of the last nine Grand Slams and is confident that he can extend his streak in majors to 14 match victories after playing an unbelievable first set in his four-set win against a cramping Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals.

“I put myself in another really ideal position to win a Grand Slam,” said Djokovic, who will also snatch the world No. 1 spot from Spain’s Alcaraz if he lifts the Musketeers Cup.

With the fickle French Open crowd often backing the underdog, Djokovic might face a few jeers, but he could not care less.

“I don’t mind. It’s not the first (time), probably not the last. I’ll just keep winning,” he said.

Ruud has never taken a set from Djokovic in their four previous meetings but the Norwegian has had a smooth run into the final, playing flawlessly, if not spectacularly.

On paper, the 24-year-old Ruud has prepared for every scenario.

“I’m just going to try to play without too much emotion. I think that’s when I can play my best tennis when I don’t overthink the situation and think too much that I have to win this match, because then things go on automatic mode,” said Ruud, who will be in his third Grand Slam final.

“Of course if I was to maybe win a set or be closer to victory, you’re going to feel the nerves and then it’s important to be mentally prepared.

“I’m going to try to visualize myself in both winning and losing situations on Sunday and see if I can have a game plan ready.” – Rappler.com

Swiatek has now lost only two out of 26 Grand Slam matches since moving to world number one in April last year and the 22-year-old became the youngest woman to bag consecutive trophies at Roland Garros since Monica Seles, who triumphed from 1990-1992.

The US Open champion also joined Seles and Naomi Osaka as the only women in the Open Era to emerge victorious in each of their first four major finals but she was made to work hard despite a fast start.

“First of all congratulations to Karolina,” Swiatek said. “I knew it would be a tough match. I hope you’re going to have many more finals. Congratulations to your team. I know how much teams are important I wouldn’t be here without my team. To my team, sorry for being such a pain in the… I’ll try to do better.”

“I know we won this tournament but it’s not easy. Being on tour for two weeks, it’s tough. Thank you to my family as well; so many came from Poland and I feel the love. It’s not just about the performance, I really love being here it’s my favorite place on the tour,” she continued.

Tough climb to top

Swiatek worked the angles superbly from the baseline and blazed ahead 3-0 on a warm and windy afternoon on Court Philippe Chatrier before world No. 43 Muchova settled the nerves, got on the board and threatened to break back.

Muchova had chances in the fifth game of the first set but the 26-year-old struggled to finish them off and found herself in more trouble in the next before bailing herself out with a tight hold thanks to a delightful drop shot and backhand winner.

The Czech, who prevailed the only time the pair faced off in Prague in 2019, launched herself into Swiatek’s second serve but sprayed far too many errors and allowed her opponent to go up a set in 44 minutes with another break.

Swiatek continued to benefit from Muchova’s mistakes from the baseline and at the net to build a commanding 3-0 lead in the second set but the Czech fired a rocket of a forehand to break back and then level at 3-3.

Muchova began to grow in confidence and attacked with more accuracy to heap pressure on Swiatek, who hit a double fault to gift Muchova the chance to even things up in the next game but there was yet another twist in the tale.

After breaking back to make it 5-5, Swiatek surrendered her serve again but saved two set points before Muchova pulled off a magical volley at full stretch to set up another and finally forced a decider.

Muchova was brimming with self-belief, having edged Aryna Sabalenka in a three-setter in the semi-finals, and went ahead in the final set, but Swiatek shrugged off the early break and wrestled back the momentum by winning three straight games.

The Polish top seed dropped serve in the seventh game but broke back instantly and produced a tight hold to inch closer to the title, which she wrapped up when Muchova double faulted to spark emotional scenes on center court.

It was Muchova’s first defeat against a top-three opponent in six meetings.

“I’ll keep it short because it’s a bit emotional,” she said, with tears flowing and the crowd chanting her name. “It was so close yet so far but I played one of the best, Iga. I want to congratulate you out loud again and your team.”

“To my box. When I look at those people, I feel I’m the winner. Thank you. I hope this is only the beginning. We have come a long way.”

Swiatek’s third win in Paris put her level with modern day three-time champions Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. – Rappler.com

The Filipina tennis ace fizzled out after seizing the first set and absorbed a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Makenna Jones of the United States in their quarterfinals clash on Saturday, June 10.

Coming off her first ITF crown of the year after ruling the W25 Yecla last week, Eala enjoyed a promising start in the W25 Madrid, starting the tournament with back-to-back sweeps of Americans Jessica Failla and Alana Smith.

The 18-year-old Eala made quick work of Jones in the opening set, but the American pulled level after outlasting the Filipina in a lengthy second set that lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes.

A semifinals berth seemed within reach for Eala as she grabbed a commanding 4-2 lead in the third set, thrice breaking Jones in the first six games of the frame.

Eala, though, ran out of steam and witnessed Jones win the next four games in a stunning collapse.

Jones will face Sweden’s Jacqueline Cabaj Awad in the semifinals, while Germany’s Alexandra Vecic and Japan’s Sakura Hosogi face off in the other final four pairing.

Eala has reached the quarterfinals in each of her last three tournaments as she also made the last eight of the W25 Monastir in Tunisia in May. – Rappler.com

Ruud booked his spot in the final for a second consecutive year by cruising past German 22nd seed Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0, and will aim to win a maiden Grand Slam when he meets 22-time major champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

History-chasing Djokovic is aiming to leapfrog Ruud’s 2022 Roland Garros conqueror Rafa Nadal in the men’s overall tally and the 24-year-old Norwegian said the final would be his toughest challenge of the year.

But Ruud has a plan to go the distance.

“It’s just a matter of not thinking I ‘need’ to win this match, there’s a really big ‘need’ for me to win this match. That’s a word I try to avoid,” Ruud, who has never beaten Djokovic in four meetings, told reporters.

“Obviously in the beginning of the tournament, that’s what you feel more and what you think about more, this is important to try to get this win and get going in the tournament.

“But now I’m in the final. It’s been a great two weeks no matter what happens on Sunday and I’m going to of course give it my all, but sometimes you play your best tennis when you don’t think too much. It just goes into automatic mode.

“I’m just going to try to go out there and know that it’s going to be a long match, a marathon match, and play point by point, give it my all. Let’s see how that goes.”

‘Best tennis of the year’

Ruud’s season has ebbed and flowed but he has peaked during his deep run in Paris to reach a third final in his last five Grand Slam tournaments.

“I think this match and the quarterfinal was one of the best matches I played this year, so that’s a good confidence boost going into the final,” Ruud said. 

“I know I’m going to have to play similar or better if I want to have any chance.”

“I’m probably playing the best tennis of the year so far. It’s been a tough one, but this sort of changes a little bit everything and how the year has been going,” he added.

“I’m going to see if I can try to use last year’s defeat in the final as a motivation… to try to play well on Sunday.”

Underdog again

A flawless Ruud easily dismantled Zverev in a battle of big-hitters.

Ruud, who was swept aside by Rafa Nadal in straight sets as the Spaniard won his 14th crown on the Parisian clay last year, endured an up-and-down 2023 season until his return to Roland Garros where he has returned to peak form.

But the 24-year-old will face the ultimate test in his quest for a maiden Grand Slam when he meets Djokovic.

“It’s going to be tough this year against Novak. Two of the toughest in history and will be the underdog again,” Ruud said.

“I know Novak is trying to be the greatest. I’m going to try my best. He’s going for Grand Slam number 23 and I’m going for my first, so there’s a big difference.”

Third time a charm?

Ruud swapped early breaks with Zverev before turning up the heat on a warm evening on Court Philippe Chatrier by pounding the German with some vicious, spin-heavy forehands to go up 5-2 en route to claiming the opening set.

Zverev, playing in a third straight Roland Garros semifinal at the scene of his season-ending ankle injury last year, wasted an early opening in the next set and found himself in trouble as fourth seed Ruud snatched another break in the seventh game.

Ruud extended his lead in the match and continued to control the rallies from behind the baseline to frustrate an error-prone Zverev in the next set, before storming into a third Grand Slam final in his last five events going back to Roland Garros 2022.

“I didn’t come here thinking I was the favorite to reach the final,” said Ruud, who also made the US Open title clash last year where he was beaten by Alcaraz.

“I was trying to take one match at a time. Let’s see how it goes from there. I was always thinking about how to defend this final spot… hopefully third time can be the charm for me.”

Victory put Ruud in elite company, as he became the fourth Scandinavian man to reach three or more Grand Slam finals, after Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg. – Rappler.com