Alex Eala with Rafael Nadal
From the courts of Quezon City to the international spotlight of the Miami Open, Alex Eala is proving that greatness can come from anywhere and that the Filipino spirit belongs on every stage. – photo from Rafa Nadal Academy
MIAMI, FL — With nerves of steel and a heart full of purpose, 19-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Eala delivered a career-defining performance on March 21, 2025, at the Miami Open—defeating World No. 25 and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 7-6(2), 7-5. It was a moment of brilliance not just for the rising tennis star, but for the Philippines.
The historic win was Eala’s first against a top-30 opponent and earned her a coveted spot in the tournament’s Round of 32. More than a breakthrough, the victory announced her arrival on the global tennis stage—and brought pride to millions of Filipinos watching around the world.
“I’m super overwhelmed right now. This win means so much to me,” Eala shared in a post-match interview. “I knew I had to stay composed and believe in myself.”
Her fierce composure and strategic shotmaking on one of the sport’s biggest courts have made headlines, but her journey to that moment began years earlier—in Quezon City, Philippines, where she first picked up a racket at age four.
A Sporting Legacy Runs Deep
Born on May 23, 2005, Eala comes from a family rooted in sports excellence. Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, a former Southeast Asian Games medalist in swimming, now serves as Chief Financial Officer at Globe Telecom. Her brother Miko played college tennis at Pennsylvania State University, and her uncle, Noli Eala, served as commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Alex’s early promise in tennis quickly translated into international accolades. In 2018, she won the prestigious Les Petits As tournament in France, one of the world’s top events for players under 14. She made her junior Grand Slam debut at the 2019 US Open, and soon after, her rise became meteoric.
Making History in the Juniors
Eala won her first Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles, partnering with Indonesia’s Priska Madelyn Nugroho. In 2021, she added another Grand Slam crown—this time at the French Open girls’ doubles, with Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva.
But it was in 2022 that she reached a milestone few Filipinos have ever touched—winning the US Open girls’ singles title, becoming the first Filipino to ever capture a junior Grand Slam singles championship.
Training Under Tennis Royalty
Since 2018, Eala has trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, a world-renowned facility that has sharpened her skills and mental toughness. It’s a relationship she credits as a pivotal turning point in her development.
“It just brought a whole different level to my game,” she once said in an interview. “I don’t know where I would be without going there. It was such a huge turning point in my life, and I’m just super grateful.”
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal himself took notice of her Miami victory, congratulating her with a heartfelt message: “What a great win for you and for the Philippines!”
Rewriting the Record Books
Turning professional in March 2020, Eala has amassed five ITF singles titles and three doubles titles. She achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 134 as of January 27, 2025—making her the highest-ranked Filipina in WTA history.
Her calm on court, left-handed play, and strong two-handed backhand have become trademarks of her game. In Miami, she played with grit and intelligence, countering Ostapenko’s power with consistency and poise.
“She played like a veteran,” said one WTA commentator. “She earned every point.”
What’s Next?
Eala now faces World No. 5 Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, in the next round. It’s a daunting matchup, but one that Eala welcomes with quiet confidence.
Win or lose, she has already etched her name into the record books and into the hearts of Filipinos across the globe.
For a country where tennis has long taken a backseat to basketball and boxing, Alex Eala is creating new dreams for the next generation of athletes.
