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Posts tagged as “Alexandra Eala”

How Rafa Nadal Academy Scholarship at 13 Launched Alexandra Eala to WTA Top 30  

July 5, 2026

Arthur Millot, writing for TennisTemple;

Her destiny shifted during a well-known event among junior tennis specialists: Les Petits As.

Her performance caught attention, and recruiters from the Spanish academy spotted her.

A moment she’ll never forget: “We were there and we won, and the Rafa Nadal Academy contacted me, so it was a big event.”

This contact marked a decisive turning point, as the Rafa Nadal Academy offered her a scholarship.

A rare privilege for a young player from a country lacking major tennis infrastructure.

This support changed everything: no more financial pressure, access to top-level facilities, daily professional coaching.

This is Alex Eala’s origin story.

A short article but worth reading specially if you’re one the people who follows her tennis career.

Although she comes from a privileged background, what Alex has achieved at this stage in her tennis career still takes immense hard work and training.

Alex Eala Dethrones Defending Champion Iga Swiatek to Advance Wimbledon Last 16

July 4, 2026

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala created monumental history at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, stunning defending champion and world No. 3 Iga Swiatek in a thrilling third-round clash on Centre Court. The 21-year-old Eala displayed remarkable composure to oust the Polish superstar in straight sets, 7-6(9), 6-2.

The opening frame was an absolute marathon. Eala initially led 5-3 before Swiatek mounted a furious rally, saving multiple set points to force a tiebreak. Showing incredible resilience, the 29th-seeded Eala survived a tense 11-9 tiebreak battle to claim the upper hand. Carrying that electric momentum directly into the second set, Eala broke early and dictated play, sealing the historic upset with clinical poise.

In the post-game interview, Eala praised Swiatek and the fans on Centre Court at Wimbledon: “I don’t know how to describe it. I’m in the 2nd week of a slam. It’s amazing for me. Iga is a phenomenal player and a really nice person. I’m really grateful to be able to share Centre court with her at Wimbledon. I’m really emotional. Maybe for someone like Iga who’s won so many slams or someone like Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small.. but for someone who grew up in the Philippines.”

With this monumental victory, Eala becomes the first Filipino player in the Open Era to reach the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, beautifully securing her ticket to the second week of a Grand Slam.

Eala’s next match will be against Jasmine Paolini (the tournament’s 13th seed) in the Round of 16 this Monday, July 6th.

Alex Eala defeats Maya Joint to advance to 2026 Wimbledon 3rd round

July 2, 2026

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala secured a historic milestone at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, roaring back to defeat Australia’s Maya Joint 3–6, 6–2, 6–0 on Thursday, July 2nd. The 29th-seeded Eala initially struggled to find her rhythm on Court 3, dropping the opening set to a dangerous opponent who had just upset 23-time Grand Slam icon Serena Williams.

Backed by a passionate, flag-waving Filipino crowd that felt like a home audience, Eala completely turned the tide with supreme grit. She adjusted her baseline depth and attacked the net aggressively. After commanding the second set, Eala unleashed a flawless performance in the decider, handing Joint a 6–0 “bagel.” This victory successfully avenged a heartbreaking loss to Joint at last year’s Eastbourne finals and established Eala as the first-ever Filipino singles player in the Open Era to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.

Next;
Eala’s historic breakthrough sets up a blockbuster third-round clash against World No. 3 and defending champion Iga Swiatek. This highly anticipated singles encounter is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026. Before that singles showdown, Eala takes the court for opening-round doubles action alongside partner Nikola Bartunkova against Sofia Kenin and Jelena Ostapenko.

Alex Eala’s Historic Draw and Schedule for Wimbledon 2026

June 27, 2026
Alex Eala’s Historic Draw and Schedule for Wimbledon 2026

The 2026 Wimbledon Championships mark a historic milestone for Philippine tennis. Reaching a career-high world No. 30, 21-year-old Alex Eala has secured the No. 29 seed, becoming the first Filipina ever to be seeded at a Grand Slam singles tournament. Fueled by an impressive grass-court season, including a title in Birmingham and a semifinal run in Berlin, Eala is primed for the grand stage.

The women’s singles draw pits Eala against Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa (world No. 76) in the first round on Tuesday, June 30. A victory could set up a blockbuster second-round clash against 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.

Alongside her historic singles run, Eala will contest the women’s doubles draw with Czech partner Nikola Bartůňková. The duo looks to build on the strong grass-court chemistry they displayed during their recent run at the Birmingham Open.

Source: olympics.com

Alex Eala wins women’s singles title at the 2026 Birmingham Open

June 8, 2026

via LTA;

Eala became the first top seeded player to win a WTA 125 event since October 2025 as she battled from a set down to beat Bartunkova 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

It’s a second WTA 125 singles title for Eala, who also reached the final of the Lexus Eastbourne Open on grass last year.

The final proved a strong test for Eala, who overturned a break deficit early in the second set and saved three break points in the opening stages of the third.

Despite missing the chance to serve out the win at 5-4 in the decider, Eala offered the perfect response, restoring her lead once again in the following game before seeing out the victory.

Eala now heads to London for the HSBC Championships at The Queen’s Club, where she will no doubt be one to watch.

Here are the game highlights;

Filipina Tennis Star Alex Eala Advances to Sao Paulo Quarterfinals

September 11, 2025

Alexandra Eala defeats Julia Riera 6-1, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals in Sao Paulo.

WTA;

Few players have enjoyed a stronger stretch on the WTA Tour lately than Alexandra Eala. The Filipino star continued her surge Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Julia Riera in 1 hour and 17 minutes to reach the quarterfinals in São Paulo.

Alex Eala will face Janice Tjen in the quarter finals of the WTA Sao Paulo (SP) Open in Sao Paulo, Brazil this Friday, Sept. 12th.

You can checkout the game highlights below.

Alexandra Eala stuns World No. 14 Clara Tauson at the 2025 US Open

August 25, 2025

Alexandra Eala pulled off a stunning upset at the 2025 US Open, defeating the 14th-ranked player, Clara Tauson.

US Open;

In front of a boisterous, highly-energized crowd in the Grandstand, 2022 US Open junior girls’ singles champion and world No. 70 Alexandra Eala—the first-ever Filipino to contest a match in the US Open women’s singles draw—came back from a double break in the third set to upset No. 14 seed Clara Tauson, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11), and reach the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Even though the tournament is not in the Philippines, it feels like Alex Eala has home-court advantage.
ESPN;

Flushing Meadows is very close to an area of Queens known as Little Manila because of its large Filipino community, and they flocked to Grandstand to cheer on Eala, one of the rising stars of the women’s tour.

Game Highlights

Second round of the US Open will be on the 27th of August, Eala will face the winner between Spain’s Cristina Bucsa (95) and American Claire Liu (371).

Alex Eala suffers a heartbreaking defeat at the WTA Lexus Eastbourne Open Finals

June 29, 2025

WTA;

Maya Joint rallied to win one of the year’s toughest matches at the Lexus Eastbourne Open on Saturday, securing her second Hologic WTA Tour singles title of 2025.

In a matchup of two of the Hologic WTA Tour’s brightest young talents, 19-year-old Maya Joint of Australia saved four championship points to edge 20-year-old qualifier Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10) in Saturday’s final.

It was a tough match but just by reaching the WTA Finals, Alex Eala is already a winner in the hearts the Filipinos. If her trajectory continues to go up, she will face Maya Joint in the future.

Here’s the game high lights.

Alex Eala Makes History: First Filipina to Reach WTA Eastbourne Finals

June 28, 2025

Alexandra “Alex” Eala has become the first Filipina Tennis player ever to reach a WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) final. She secured her spot by defeating fellow qualifier Varvara Gracheva in a tough semifinal match at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, with a final score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Eala will face 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint for the championship title this Saturday, June 28th.

You watch some of the game highlights featuring Alexandra Eala vs. Varvara Gracheva from the Eastbourne Semifinal 2025.