YOUNG TALENTS. Tennis players Michael Francis Eala (left) and sister Alexandra with world's No. 1 Rafael Nadal. The Eala siblings are in Spain attending the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. (Photo courtesy of Mike Eala)
MANILA -- Michael Francis Eala has been invited by the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) to join the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Asian 16 and Under Team that will compete in three junior world ranking tournaments in Thailand and Hong Kong from October 15 to November 3.
In a letter to the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) Secretary General Romeo Magat, the ATF said the ITF Grand Slam Development Fund will pay for all transportation expenses, lodging and meals of the team.
The team will leave for Bangkok, Thailand on Oct. 12 and will have two days of practice.
The tournaments in Thailand on October 15-20 and October 22-27 will be held at the Lawn Tennis Association of the Thailand courts in Nonthaburi City.
From Thailand, the team will proceed to Hong Kong for the HK Open ITF Juniors Tennis Championships slated Oct. 28-Nov. 3 at the Victoria Park Tennis Court in Causeway Bay.
"I am so happy to have qualified and been invited to join this ITF Asian 16-Under GSDF Tour Team to Thailand and Hong Kong. Thank you to the International Tennis Federation Grand Slam Development Fund, Asian Tennis Federation and Philippine Tennis Association," said the 16-year-old Eala.
Both Michael Francis and his 13-year-old sister, Alexandra, are currently training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain.
The Rafa Nadal Academy is a high-performance tennis center headed by Toni Nadal, the uncle of Rafael, the world's No. 1 tennis player.
The Eala siblings are also enrolled at the American International School of Mallorca, which is inside the academy premises. Michael Francis is in Grade 11 while Alex is in Grade 8.
Alex is a member of the 14 and Under touring team to Young Stars tournaments in Europe. (PNA)
