History Made: Alex Eala Reaches Career-High World No. 73

19-year-old Filipino tennis sensation, Alexandra Eala, captivated the world with her performance at the Miami Open. Currently ranked no. 75 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), her journey through the tournaments marks a significant milestone in her career.

Alex Eala’s Miami Open highlighted a series of sweeping victories over top-tier opponents, defeating former Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Świątek, showcasing her exceptional prowess and resilience. Although her inspiring run was concluded with a hard-fought three-set match against world no. 4 Jessica Pegula, her performance throughout the tournament has left a lasting impression on the tennis community.

From world no. 140 to a career-high of no. 75, has made her the highest-ranked Filipina player in WTA Tour History. This achievement reflects her talent and shines a spotlight on Philippine tennis, inspiring new generations of athletes to follow through.

After her journey at the Miami Open, Alex took to Instagram to express her gratitude in a heartfelt post. She reflected on her experiences, writing, “Wow, this year’s @miamiopen has left me speechless and so full of emotion, mostly pride and gratitude. I’m proud of myself for pushing through those tough moments, as well as to have been able to make a statement for the Philippines in one of the biggest stages of tennis”. Her message has resonated with fans all over the world, and her dedication to keep going has inspired many.

She added, “Moreover, I’m thankful for all the positivity coming my way, and I pray that you all continue sending support through the highs and lows. Salamat sa lahat ng pagdadasal at magagandang mensahe🙏🫶🇵🇭I recognize that these two weeks have opened the door to so many opportunities for me, but along with those opportunities come a whole new set of obstacles I will have to navigate through.”

At just 13, she moved to Spain to train at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where she enhanced her skills under the guidance of top coaches. Back in 2020, she became the first Filipina in 28 years to compete in the Grand Slam Junior event, reaching the semifinals of the French Open girls’ singles. In the same year, she won the Australian Open girls’ doubles title. In 2022, her commitment and excellence paid off as she secured the US Open girls’ singles, making her the first Filipino to win a Junior Grand Slam singles championship.

Alex’s journey is not just about winning titles, it’s about inspiring the next generation. As a scholar at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, she has embraced a global approach to her development, proof of how Filipino athletes can truly shine at the international level. As she continues to break barriers, the tennis world anticipates her future endeavors, as this young star’s ascent has only just begun.

Alex concluded her post with a powerful statement that makes people more excited about what’s next for the tennis wunderkind: “The real work starts now.”