Filipina Alexandra Eala on making history in Paris: 'I proved it’s possible'

Dubai: With a flag on her sleeve and history at her feet, Alex Eala walked onto the hallowed courts of Roland Garros, carrying the hopes of a nation. The 20-year-old became the first Filipina to compete in a Grand Slam main draw — a milestone she marked with pride, even as her debut ended in a hard-fought defeat.

Eala, who celebrated her 20th birthday on Friday. bowed out in the opening round of the French Open on Sunday, falling to Colombian Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2 on the red clay of Paris.

“Being the first is a big deal because it gives other people courage to do the same and follow the same path,” said Eala, reflecting on her journey. “I think that’s also what sets me apart from so many of these players — I come from Manila, because no one has done it before and no one has been here. That’s so close to my heart.”

Eala’s Grand Slam debut comes after a breakthrough season. In March, she stunned the tennis world with a run to the semi-finals in Miami, beating three Grand Slam winners — Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek — while ranked just 140th.

“After Miami things kind of came to life. I proved to myself it’s possible,” said Eala, who is now up to world No. 69.

“My parents and I always joke about how far we’ve come, especially when we play in these big tournaments and the facilities are amazing. Before we would joke about all these places back home — and now we’re in Paris... it’s definitely a different level.”

Growing up in Manila, Eala trained on rundown courts where nets sagged and fences were incomplete — a far cry from the polished setup of Roland Garros.

“Where I started... the courts were cracked, nets were broken, fences were not completed — and here everything is so detailed, everything is so modern,” she said. “Those are the things that you think about, little things people might not appreciate as much if they grew up here.”

Since age 13, Eala has trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. She lifted the 2022 US Open girls’ singles trophy and has been building momentum on the WTA Tour. Her clay-court season included appearances in Madrid and Rome, sharpening her for her Grand Slam debut.

Eala isn’t just competing for herself — she’s representing millions of Filipinos watching from afar.

“Being the only Filipino on this stage, I’m representing our country and our people,” she said. “There are so many high-tension moments in tennis, but I do my very best to really keep my emotions in check and just carry myself well. Even though I’m doing it for myself — it’s a personal journey — a lot of people watching will see me as a reflection of our people.”

Although Arango — ranked 88th in the world — proved too strong on the day, it was a valuable lesson for Eala, who acknowledged the pressure but embraced the challenge.

The scoreline may not have gone her way, but Alex Eala’s Grand Slam debut was more than a match — it was a statement.

Her presence at Roland Garros has opened doors, inspired future athletes, and rewritten what’s possible for Filipino tennis. Eala’s run in Paris is not over yet as she has teamed up with Mexican Arenata Zarazua for the doubles.

“There’s so much to be grateful for,” she said. “And this is just the beginning.”