The Stardust Success in Spotlight

THE MAKING OF A TENNIS PRODIGY

The homegrown star was born into a family where the rhythm of sports pulsed through every of their vein. Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, once claimed a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games, while her brother, Miko, took to the court as a tennis standout for Pennsylvania State University and also a product of Rafa Nadal Academy.

At just 12 years old, Alex burst onto the international junior scene by winning the prestigious Les Petits As tournament in Tarbes, France—a feat that earned her a coveted scholarship to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Spain. By 13, she had relocated to Mallorca, immersing herself in elite training while pursuing her studies at the American International School of Mallorca, all under the nurturing environment of one of the world’s most respected tennis academies. 

In 2018, she made her Grand Slam juniors debut at the Roland Garros Junior Championships as a wildcard entry, marking the beginning of a historic climb. Two years later, she cracked the ITF Girls’ Junior rankings, reaching No. 2 in the world after a semifinal finish at the French Open and a historic win at the Australian Open girls’ doubles with Priska Madelyn Nugroho, making her the first Filipina to win a Juniors Grand Slam title since 2009. That same year, she once again made an impact by reaching the semifinals of the French Open juniors’ singles, a feat unmatched by any Filipino since 1985. 

Her momentum grew more in 2020 as she shattered a 28-year drought for Philippine tennis by becoming the first Filipina in nearly three decades to compete in the US Open Juniors, and later, the first in over 25 years to qualify for the ITF World Junior Tennis tournament. A year later, she lifted her second Grand Slam title at the French Open girls’ doubles  with Oksana Selekhmeteva

CARVING HER-STORY

As the first Filipina to break into the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament, Eala didn’t just step onto the big stage, but rather conquered it, toppling the world’s best of the best, including Katie Volynets of United States, World No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, former world’s second seed Paula Badosa of Spain, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland. 

Undaunted by the challenge, Eala opened her round of 128 with Katie Volynets, matching her opponent's long rally style and forcing her to play defensively. After initially falling behind, Eala adjusted her strategy by mixing in aggressive net play, ultimately taking the first set 6-3. Despite a strong start in the second set, where she led 5-3, Volynets rallied to tie the match and push it to a tiebreak. However, the Filipina lefty remained resolute, overcoming her previous struggles to close out the match and secure her place in the next round.

The next day, Eala showcased her remarkable ability to stage a comeback against former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko at the round of 64. After initially appearing overmatched, Eala turned the tide by rallying from a 4-0 deficit in the first set, ultimately clinching it in a tiebreak with a commanding 7-2 score. The second set mirrored the drama, as Eala surged ahead only to face a fierce counterattack from Ostapenko, who momentarily seized control. However, the Filipina refused to buckle under pressure, saving a set point and breaking the Latvian to secure a win over the world No. 25.

Coming from back-to-back wins, Eala found herself crushing  another superstar once again as she beat reigning Australian Open queen Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the round of 16. The 19-year-old started strong, racing to a 4-2 lead before Keys fought back to level the match, but Eala quickly regained control, breaking Keys' serve to take the opening set amid a flurry of crucial errors from the veteran. Eala maintained her momentum in the second set, breaking Keys in the sixth and eighth games to wrap up the match in just 1 hour and 27 minutes. Meanwhile, the Philippines advanced easily to the quarterfinals after world No. 11 Paula Badosa of Spain withdrew due to a lower back injury.  

In an impressive showcase of skill and composure, Eala secured a 6-2, 7-5 victory against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, marking her place among tennis elites as she advanced to the semifinals of her first WTA 1000 event. The Hard Rock Stadium in Florida bore witness to the young star triumphing over Poland’s five-time Grand Slam champion. The opening stretch was intense, with five of the first six games ending in service breaks, and the first four games alone stretching past 25 minutes. Despite the pressure, Eala held her composure through tense deuce battles, proving she could go head-to-head with Swiatek.

However, the Philippines’ Miami stint ended after bowing to world No. 4 Jessica Pegula in a heartbreaking 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 semifinals loss. Eala squandered a significant lead in the opening set, but struggled with her signature forehand in the decider, allowing Pegula to advance to the singles final. Errors also  became a tough factor for Eala after recording 59 unforced errors, including six in the final two games, as she ran out of gas after a spirited comeback in the second set. Despite racing to a 5-2 lead and having a chance to clinch the first set at 40-30, her mistakes allowed her opponent to force a tiebreak, which Pegula won by taking the last five points after trailing 2-3.

THE PATH AHEAD FOR ALEX

As Eala prepares for the next chapter in her tennis career, her anticipated rise in the world rankings positioned her as the top-ranked Southeast Asian player, surpassing Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Her new ranking guarantees her a spot in the main draw of the 2025 French Open, a significant milestone for her after missing out on Grand Slam opportunities in 2024. This surge in ranking is a crucial boost for the young athlete, who is eager to capitalize on her recent success at the Miami Open and solidify her place among the sport's elites.

In the coming months, Eala's focus will shift from lower-level ITF events to more prestigious tournaments, with the WTA 1000 Madrid Open on the horizon. With a four-week window of WTA Challenger events leading up to Madrid, it is expected for her to participate in several competitions as she continues her ascent in the world of tennis.

As Alex Eala forges her way in the tennis arena, her transformation from a junior prodigy to a formidable competitor on the WTA is nothing short of inspiring. With each match, she has illuminated courts around the globe with her talent, determination, and resilience. The milestones she has achieved thus far are just the beginning, and her journey is far from over—her star is only beginning to shine its brightest.