Alex Eala’s historic rise in 2025

Alexandra “Alex” Eala may well be Philippine sports’ biggest star in 2025.

In the span of just one year, she accomplished a string of historic feats in Philippine tennis, turning every tournament she entered into a must-watch event—not only for tennis fans, but for Filipino sports fans as a whole.

Here’s a look back at the key moments of Eala’s landmark 2025 campaign.

Dream runs

It all began with a dream run in Miami last March.

Competing in the Miami Open, Eala reached the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event—an unprecedented achievement for a Filipina player.

On her way to the semis, she stunned multiple Grand Slam champions, defeating Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek before bowing out to Jessica Pegula.

The historic run propelled Eala into the WTA Top 100, making her the first Filipina tennis player to achieve the feat and opening the doors to Grand Slam main draws.

Months later in June, Eala reached her first-ever WTA tournament semifinal in Eastbourne, but narrowly fell to Maya Joint, 4–6, 6–1, 6(10)–7.

Grand Slam main draw debuts

Breaking into the Top 100 earned Eala entry into the Grand Slam tournaments, beginning with her main draw debut at the French Open in May.

She bowed out in the opening round to Emiliana Arango, 0–6, 6–2, 3–6.

After Eastbourne, Eala made her Wimbledon main draw debut, facing then defending champion Barbora Krejcikova. She fought hard but exited in the first round, 6–3, 2–6, 1–6.

Weeks later at the US Open, despite coming off a shoulder injury, Eala made history by pulling off a massive first-round upset over world No. 14 Clara Tauson, becoming the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main draw match.

Her run ended in the second round with a 4–6, 3–6 loss to Cristina Bucsa.

First WTA 125 title

Just days after her US Open breakthrough, Eala competed in a WTA 125 tournament in Guadalajara.

She capped off a remarkable week by defeating Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in the final, 1–6, 7–5, 6–3, becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA 125 title.

Asian swing

Following her stints in Europe and the Americas, Eala shifted to the Asian swing, competing in several WTA and WTA 125 events.

In her final tournament of the campaign in Hong Kong, she reached the Round of 16 before falling to eventual champion Victoria Mboko.

SEA Games gold

After a short break, Eala returned to action representing the Philippines at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

She served as a flag bearer during the opening ceremony alongside volleyball star Bryan Bagunas.

With the national team, Eala secure a bronze medal in the women’s team event and added another bronze with Francis Casey Alcantara in mixed doubles.

Her crowning moment came on December 18, when she defeated Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6–1, 6–2, in the finals to claim the country’s first women’s tennis gold medal since 1999.

What’s next for Eala?

Now ranked No. 53 in the world, Eala is expected to open her 2026 season at the ASB Classic in New Zealand starting January 5, before heading to the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.

Should she exit early in Australia, the Philippine Women’s Open from January 26 to 31 could also be on her schedule.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News