“She’s good, but she doesn’t deserve all that hype. Or maybe it’s all thanks to being Rafael Nadal’s student, haha.” With those words, Janice Tjen lit a firestorm ahead of the São Paulo Open 2025 quarterfinals.

What may have been intended as a casual joke quickly spiraled into a scandal that shook the tennis community and set social media ablaze. Alexandra Eala, the young Filipina star whose career has been soaring, found herself at the center of controversy when her opponent, Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, took a jab at her achievements and suggested they were only the result of her connection to the legendary Rafael Nadal.

The comment, dripping with sarcasm and dismissiveness, did not sit well with fans. Within minutes, clips and quotes spread across Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, sparking heated debates. Supporters of Eala denounced Tjen’s statement as disrespectful and belittling, pointing out the hard work and dedication Eala has shown since her early teens. The backlash intensified as hashtags like #RespectEala and #PhilippinesStandWithAlexandra began trending worldwide.

But the storm truly reached its peak when Rafael Nadal himself entered the conversation. Known for his usually diplomatic and reserved stance, Nadal rarely comments on controversies. This time, however, he broke his silence with a short but powerful statement—just ten words—that instantly tipped the scales: “Alexandra has earned everything through her own work and talent.”

Those words carried the weight of Nadal’s legacy, and they hit the tennis world like a thunderbolt. Fans across the Philippines erupted in pride and passion, treating Nadal’s message as both validation and a rallying cry. The sentiment online transformed from mere outrage at Tjen into a united front celebrating Eala’s journey and defending her honor.

For Janice Tjen, the tables turned quickly. What she might have considered a lighthearted or offhand remark became a career-defining misstep. The flood of criticism against her intensified, with thousands of comments flooding her social media accounts. Some fans demanded an apology, while others accused her of jealousy and unprofessional conduct. Sports journalists across the globe also weighed in, with many criticizing Tjen for attempting to undermine a fellow competitor instead of focusing on her own performance.

Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala chose not to engage directly in the controversy. Instead, she let her performance on the court do the talking. Her calm demeanor and focused play during practice sessions stood in stark contrast to the noise surrounding her name, further endearing her to fans who admired her maturity under pressure.

As for Nadal, his ten words will likely be remembered as the line that silenced the critics and reignited the Filipino pride movement surrounding Eala. What began as a mocking remark from an opponent has now transformed into one of the defining off-court moments of the São Paulo Open 2025.

Whether Janice Tjen can recover from the backlash remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Alexandra Eala, backed by the unwavering support of her fans and the public endorsement of Rafael Nadal, is walking into her quarterfinal match not just as a competitor, but as a symbol of resilience and respect.