Alex Eala reveals six-word message from grandfather aged 13 that she didn't understand 'until now'

Alex Eala has revealed that she received a six-word message from her grandfather just before moving to Spain aged 13 to kick-start her tennis career.

Eala has had a breakthrough 2026 season, which has seen her rise into the top 20 of the WTA rankings and win her maiden WTA title at the Washington Open. The 21-year-old Filipina also played on Centre Court at Wimbledon, defeating the reigning champion Iga Swiatek in round three, and won bronze at the Asian Games in Nagoya.

Eala is a graduate of the Rafa Nadal Academy but, well before that, she began playing tennis at the age of four and was coached by her maternal grandfather, Roberto Maniego. And in the latest episode of the 'Pretty Tough' podcast, hosted by tennis legend Maria Sharapova, Eala revealed the one piece of advice Maniego gave her before she left for Spain as a teenager.

'I don't understand until now...' - Alex Eala was given key piece of advice before Spain move

Eala made the decision to leave the Philippines and move to Mallorca - where the Rafael Nadal Academy is based - at the age of just 13.

She went on to become the most high-profile graduate of the academy, with Nadal even penning a special profile to induct her into TIME100's Next List last month.

READ MORE: Alex Eala's response speaks volumes after what Rafael Nadal said about her latest landmark

But from her departure to Spain up to today, Eala has carried with her a key piece of advice from her grandfather - who passed away in 2019 - which might hold the key to her rise even further up the rankings.

"Being open-minded is so important," she said. "So before I left for Spain, at 13, that was the last thing he told me after practice: 'Alex, you have to be coachable'. And I don't know why, until now, what the reason was.

"I think, in our culture and our family, we're big on respect. So there is no such thing as talking back... disrespect is looked down upon in our family, and in our culture. So I think it was only even in Spain that I really came out of my shell - and, of course, I was so young - to be able to form my own opinions, and make the coach-player relationship more of a partnership.

"But I think it was just so important in terms of being open-minded and trusting your team, and trusting that they want the best for you.

"I think my foundation is really, really strong because of that ... and I'm really thankful for all the experiences that I had as a young kid. I had a rigorous training schedule, I had those intense moments. But I had a very happy childhood - my family are so loving, they are the best. And so I had a great balance."

Alex Eala has broken multiple records in 2026

One of the most notable parts of Eala's rise up the tennis ranks has been the incredible support that she receives at every venue, with her matches regularly sold out due to the high demand for tickets.

By beating Jessica Pegula in the Washington Open, she became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title, and is already the highest-ranked player from her home country across both the ATP and WTA rankings.

READ NEXT: Alex Eala has broken her own record once again ahead of Cincinnati Open

To underline her popularity, highlights of her 'Stars of the Open' exhibition match against close friend Iva Jovic, which was staged before the 2026 US Open, racked up 3.1 million views on YouTube. The only video posted by the official US Open across the tournament to surpass that figure was highlights of the women's singles final between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka, which hit 3.2 million views.