Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff offer support to Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala ahead of Wimbledon

Eala faces defending champion Krejcikova on July 1 in the opening round of Wimbledon

Last updated: June 30, 2025 | 02:04

1 MIN READ

Philippines' Alexandra Eala returns to Australia's Maya Joint during their women's singles final tennis match on day six of the Lexus Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, on June 28, 2025.

AFP

Dubai: Filipion tennis sensation Alexandra Eala stumbled at the last hurdle in the Eastbourne Open final which was her first WTA final.

The loss left her heartbroken as she fought tears while accepting the runners-up trophy. “It’s my first WTA final. It’s a big deal for me and for my country because it’s historic. It’s the first time any Filipina has done anything like this,” said the 20-year-old. “I guess that’s also why I’m so emotional.”

Historic breakthrough: Alex Eala becomes first Filipina to enter WTA Top 100!

But she found support from her mentor Rafael Nadal and doubles partner Coco Gauff who put their weight behind the Filipino star ahead of Wimbledon.

"The first final of many finals, @AlexEala05!" Nadal wrote.

Eala joined the Nadal tennis academy in Mallorca in 2018 and graduated in 2023.

Recent French Open champion Coco Gauff too expressed her support on social media. "Congratulations," alongside a heart emoji.

At Wimbledon, Eala faces a challenging opening-round match against the defending champion Barbora Krejcikova on July 1.

Jai Rai

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

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