At just 19 years old, Alex Eala made history by blazing her way to the semi-finals of the 2025 Miami Open, becoming the first Filipino player to do so at a WTA 1000 event.
Entering the tournament ranked WTA No. 140 and given a wildcard, Eala didn’t just defy expectations, she dismantled them, one top-ranked opponent at a time.
However, this is not just a story about a young player winning big. It’s about long years of quiet dedication, setbacks, and the determination to make history for herself and an entire nation.
The Early Leap Few Knew About
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, in May 2005, Eala picked up a racket as a child, encouraged by her athletic family. Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, is a former Southeast Asian Games bronze medallist and a current sports executive.
At just 12 years old, Eala made a life-changing decision: She moved to Mallorca, Spain, to train at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy, a programme known for developing players with technical brilliance and mental toughness.
This move meant spending her teenage years far from home, juggling international tournaments with schoolwork and learning to compete with Europe’s best juniors. Her early success included:
- 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles title
- 2021 French Open girls’ doubles title
- 2022 US Open girls’ singles title (the first by a Filipino in history)
These wins made her a rising star, but the transition to the pro circuit brought new challenges.
From Junior Star to Pro-Level Struggles
Between 2022 and 2024, Eala spent most of her time competing in ITF and WTA 125 tournaments, often with limited coverage or recognition.
Despite capturing four ITF singles titles, she struggled to break into the WTA top 100. In 2023, she was as low as 267th in the WTA rankings, battling inconsistency, tough draws, and the sheer depth of competition at the pro level.
This phase is one that many promising juniors don’t survive, but Eala stays in the fight. She rose the ranks in the second half of the year and has not looked back.
The 2025 Miami Open: Her Turning Point
In March 2025, she entered the Miami Open as a wildcard, with few eyes on her. That changed quickly.
Round 1: Beat Katie Volynets (USA) – 6-3, 7-6
Eala began the Miami Open with a straight-sets victory over a potentially tricky opponent, Katie Volynets.
Round 2: Defeated Jeļena Ostapenko (No. 27) – 7-6(2), 7-5
The teenager gave a glimpse of the magic that was to come as she clinched a tight sets win over a top-30 player for the first time in her career. It was also her first win over a former Grand Slam champion. Latvia’s Ostapenko won the French Open in 2017.
Round 3: Upset Madison Keys (No. 5) – 6-4, 6-2
The world began to take notice in the third round as Eala saw off current Australian Open champion, the USA’s Madison Keys. She became the first Filipino to beat a top-10 player in the WTA era
Quarter-final: Advanced via walkover as Paula Badosa withdrew with injury
Semi-final: Shocked Iga Świątek (World No. 2) – 6-2, 7-
Poland’s Świątek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, had been on a 12-match winning streak. Eala picked up yet another straight-set win against one of the toughest competitors in the world.
Final: Lost to Elena Rybakina (World No. 4) – 4-6, 3-6
Eala’s fairytale run eventually came to an end with a straight-sets loss to Elena Rybakina. Despite the defeat, Eala earned her career-high WTA ranking of No. 72
How She Did It
Discipline From Day One
Her training at the Rafa Nadal Academy focused not just on technique, but mindset. She’s known for her composure and focus under pressure, even against top seeds.
Endurance and Fitness
Eala has stepped up her physical game. During the Miami Open, she won 78% of extended rallies (9+ shots), a figure that reflects elite-level conditioning and shot tolerance.
Tactical Tennis
Rather than relying on raw power, Eala’s strength lies in her use of variety, angles, and court intelligence. Her ability to change pace and neutralise aggressive opponents made the difference, particularly against Świątek and Keys.
A Win That Echoes Beyond the Court
Eala’s success is historic. The Philippines has never produced a Grand Slam champion, nor has it had a regular presence in the WTA top 100. Her Miami run changed that narrative.
During the week of her matches:
- Tennis-related searches in the Philippines spiked on Google Trends.
- Local sports clubs reported increased interest in youth tennis programmes.
- Social media exploded with support, even from non-tennis fans.
Her success proved that a nation without a tennis tradition can still create world-class talent.
What’s Next for Eala?
With the clay court season up next Eala will be looking to back up her breakthrough with consistent results. Her performance in Miami has put her on the radar, but the challenge now is staying there.
In Summary
Alex Eala’s run at the Miami Open wasn’t just about beating big names. It was about overcoming years of uphill battles, staying disciplined when few were watching, and proving that greatness can come from places no one expects.
She’s no longer a wildcard story — she’s the face of a new era in Southeast Asian tennis. More importantly, for sports fans and punters alike, one thing is clear: Alex Eala is a name worth remembering.
