At only 19 years old, Alex Eala is waving the Philippine flag high on the tennis court. In recent news, she bested world number 2 Iga Swiatek at the 2025 Miami Open quarterfinals. Advancing to the semifinals proved to be a historic feat, as Alex became the first Filipina to reach the top eight of a Women's Tennis Association 1000 (WTA) competition.
When asked about her victory, Alex was quoted saying: "My coach told me to run, to go for every ball, take all the opportunities I can because a five-time Grand Slam champion is not gonna give you the win." Suffice to say, going for the jugular worked in her favor.
With such achievements, the tennis prodigy proves to be a global sensation to watch. For those who are curious and want to know more about Alex, listed below are five essential facts to know about her.
Fast Facts About Alex Eala
1. Alex was born to a family of athletes.
Born on May 23, 2005 in Quezon City, Alex was born with athleticism running through her veins. Her mother is a swimmer and 1985 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Rosemarie "Rizza" Maniego-Eala. Her uncle is Philippine Sports Commision chairperson Noli Eala, while her brother Miko Eala is also a budding tennis champ.
2. Alex started playing tennis at an early age.
Alex picked up the racket at an early age, winning the 2018 Le Petits As 14-and-under tournament in 2018. Since then, she's boasted of a 164-98 wins to losses record in the singles category. As of March 2025, she ranks at no. 75, according to the WTA.
3. Alex is a scholar of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Spain.
Since she was only 12 years old, Alex was enlisted into the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. Given her tenure at the institution, she is also currently based in the European city.
4. Alex made her junior debut at the US Open at only 14 years old.
Continually making a mark on the international scene, Alex made her Grand Slam debut at the US Open back in 2019. Only 14 years old at the time, she's since participated in competitions held around the world, including Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and the French Open.
5. Alex is the highest-ranked Filipina singles tennis player in history.
With her long list of accomplishments, Alex officially becomes the highest-ranked Filipina singles tennis player according to the WTA. She surpassed Maricriz Gentz, whose career spanned through the 1990s. Given the possibility of more victories at the Miami Open, Alex's rank can possibly continue to rise.
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