Who is Alex Eala? Rising Filipino star shines at Miami Open

Manila: At just 19 years old, Alexandra "Alex" Maniego Eala has emerged as a formidable force in women’s tennis.

Her signature? An aggressive playing style: flat, powerful groundstrokes and exceptional return abilities.

Alex has drawn admiration from tennis analysts and fans alike, captivating audiences worldwide with her stellar performance at the 2025 Miami Open.

The Filipina tennis sensation has already made history, signaling her arrival on the global stage.

Eala’s tennis odyssey began at the age of four, and her prodigious talent soon became evident. 

In 2018, she clinched the prestigious Les Petits as 14-and-under tournament, a victory that spotlighted her potential on the international stage. 

However, on Thursday (March 27, 2025, 9am Friday in Manila), Alex was defeated by US Olympian Jessie Pegula, who put on quite a show in a three-set semi-final epic match.

Alex's junior career was marked by significant achievements, including winning the Australian Open girls' doubles title in 2020 alongside Priska Madelyn Nugroho and the French Open girls' doubles title in 2021 with Oksana Selekhmeteva. 

Alex reached a career-high junior ranking of No. 2 and made history in 2022 by becoming the first Filipina to win a junior Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.

Transitioning to the professional circuit, Eala continued to break barriers. In January 2021, she secured her first professional title at the ITF $15k tournament in Manacor, Spain. 

Her dedication and perseverance culminated in a groundbreaking performance at the 2025 Miami Open.​

Entering the tournament as a wildcard ranked No. 140, Alex’s campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. 

She defeated Katie Volynets in the first round, followed by a straight-sets victory over 25th seed and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. 

Alex then stunned the tennis world by overcoming reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 5 Madison Keys with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win, marking her first triumph over a top-10 opponent. 

This victory made her the first Filipina player in the Open Era to defeat a top-10 player since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1975. ​

Her momentum continued as she advanced to the quarterfinals, where she faced world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. 

Demonstrating remarkable composure and skill, Alex secured a 6-2, 7-5 victory, becoming the first Filipina to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament. 

This historic run propelled her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings, achieving a career-high singles ranking of world No. 75 and making her the highest-ranked Filipino tennis player in history. ​

Alex's success at the Miami Open is a testament to her unwavering dedication and the robust foundation laid during her years at the Rafa Nadal Academy. 

Beyond her on-court achievements, Alex's journey has ignited a renewed interest in tennis within the Philippines, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue the sport. 

As she continues to ascend in the professional ranks, Alex Alex remains focused on her long-term goals: winning Grand Slam titles and attaining the world No. 1 ranking.

With her recent performances, she has undoubtedly taken significant strides toward realising these ambitions, firmly establishing herself as a rising star in the world of tennis.​

Alex's journey reflects her dedication and the growing prominence of Filipino athletes in international tennis.