19-year-old tennis sensation Alex Eala jumped 65 positions from No. 140 to No. 75 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings during the Miami Open 1000 on March 16 to 30 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, USA. This remarkable advancement is the most significant achievement by a Filipino player in tennis history.
Eala became the first Filipina to beat a top 10 player, the only one to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event, and the first to defeat multiple Grand Slam Champions. These achievements mark the biggest success by any Filipino tennis competitor and reflect her swift progression among elite tennis athletes.
Smashing expectations
At just 13 years old, Eala moved to Spain to train at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy, where she mastered her fundamental skills and developed the mental strength needed to succeed in WTA competitions. Her professional career jump started after winning the 2020 US Open girls' singles tournament where she made her mark as an evolving international competitor.
Throughout her Miami Open journey, she defied expert forecasts by eliminating Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys in straight sets and pulling off an upset victory against No. 2 Iga Świątek, who is arguably the best player in the post-Serena Williams era. Her strong tournament performances at the Miami Open displayed her growing status as a professional athletic competitor in tennis.
Paving the way
Multiple international tennis figures and Filipino athletes commended Eala's rise to tennis stardom. The Philippine Sports Commission also recognized her success as a landmark moment for Philippine tennis, while tennis analysts acknowledge that Eala demonstrates promising potential for stepping into uncharted territory no Filipino has ever been.
In a post-game interview during the Miami Open, she shared, “Growing up, it was tough. You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way. Of course, you had many people to look up to around the world, but I hope this takes Filipino tennis to the next step.”
What’s next for the tennis prodigy?
With her current position as No. 75, Eala is eligible to be a part of the main draws of the Grand Slam tournaments such as the Rolland Garros, Wimbledon, Australian Open, and US Open. If she stays within the top 100 of the WTA, she will become the first Filipina ever to participate in the main draw of a Grand Slam event.
When fellow tennis player and sports reporter Dyan Castillejo asked Eala about her goals, she confidently declared, “If you ask me, next year, I’ll be number one in the world.”
The historic dream run was not just a personal victory for Eala but an exceptional milestone for Philippine sports worldwide. Her achievements show that homegrown Filipino athletes have what it takes to compete in international tournaments against elite athletes.
Eala’s journey serves as a motivational force, pushing young Filipinos to break barriers and dream bigger. The nation puts their faith in her as she advances through the Top 50, and she carries the hopes of a nation, proving that Filipino talent belongs on the world stage.
