Eala’s incredible journey from Philippines to global stardom

By Grant Thompson

Filipino sensation Alexandra Eala grew up competing on courts riddled with cracks, holes in the net and no fencing. It was a raw beginning for the now 21-year-old who has become one of the biggest stars in tennis.

Eala has gone from that humble start in a country with little tennis infrastructure and almost no history of producing professional players, to last month twice competing on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, one of the sport’s most hallowed grounds.

Making her Cincinnati Open debut as a Top 20 player and the 17th seed at the WTA 1000 event, Eala is proudly carrying the weight of a nation on her shoulders.

“There are moments when it’s heavy, there are moments when it’s fun,” Eala said Wednesday in Cincinnati. “At the end of the day, I am also aware that it’s a crazy experience. I’m just trying to take it all in.”

Eala first picked up a racquet at age four, often playing with her late grandfather and brother, Miko, who went on to be a standout collegiate player at Penn State University.

At 13, ‘Alex’ and Miko made the bold decision to move across the world to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy. That was in 2018, the same year she won the prestigious U14 Les Petits As tournament in France, defeating this year’s Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the final.

For a girl who had only just entered her teenage years, moving to a full-time tennis academy was a life-changing step toward pursuing her tennis dreams. Earlier this month, Eala became a WTA titlist for the first time in Washington, D.C, where she ousted American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the championship match.

Eala’s hard work is paying dividends and the growing attention from tennis-hungry Philippines is impossible to miss.

“I know that I wouldn’t be having these experiences if I didn’t do all the work I did beforehand. It’s really helped me develop as a person and see things from a different perspective,” Eala said of her big following.

“It’s allowed me to mature a lot. It’s taught me a lot of lessons. But it’s also given me so much joy.”

That joy is often written across Eala’s face. Her infectious smile and easygoing personality have quickly made her a favorite among her peers on tour. When Eala celebrated her 21st birthday at Roland Garros, the trio of Eva Lys, Zeynep Sonmez and Iva Jovic surprised her on the practice court with a birthday cake.

Upon winning the trophy in the US capital, Eala received a congratulatory message via X from tennis legend Rafael Nadal. The two have crossed paths throughout Eala’s years training at the Mallorcan academy.

Eala admits it can be difficult to grasp the scale of her impact in the Philippines, a country of roughly 120 million people.

“Because I’m always traveling on tour, I’m quite out of touch sometimes with what my impact is back home, for the good and the bad,” she said. “That’s why when I went back home, it really opened my eyes.”

After Wimbledon, where Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the second week of a major, she returned home to Southeast Asia. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honored Eala with a Presidential Citation at Malacanang Palace.

Born in Quezon City, northeast of the capital Manila, Eala cherishes those face-to-face interactions with her home supporters.

“Of course I hear about it, I see it on social media, but I think to experience it firsthand and to interact with the people who support me — a couple sentences from them is enough to see a glimpse into their stories or how tennis has impacted their lives, or how being Filipino and their pride has affected them personally,” said the lefty.

“I think it’s crazy how inspiration can affect other people. That’s one thing I’ve learned and I’ve realized going back home.”

As proudly as the Filipino community has embraced its new sporting star, Eala is equally as proud of her roots.

“Filipino culture, and every culture in general, is very layered. It’s ever evolving,” said Eala, who has tallied a 37-19 season record across all levels. “When I think of Filipino culture, what comes to mind is community, family, hospitality, love, kindness.”

Eala’s stardom has stretched beyond the tennis court. After her Wimbledon run, she was on a three-day girls trip to Sweden, where she attended a Bad Bunny concert and was fortunate enough to join this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer on stage for his ‘casita’ in Stockholm. (Bad Bunny’s ‘casita’ is an iconic set piece that often welcomes celebrity guests.)

It was an unforgettable memory in an increasingly surreal summer for Eala. When asked to pick the recent moments that stand out most, Eala stuck to her on-court achievements.

“It would have to be between Wimbledon and Washington,” she said. “I think playing on Centre Court and winning in such fashion against great players, it’s something I’ll never forget. It was my first win on Centre, so crazy, crazy experience. And everyone says you’ll never forget your first title. Those are like my two babies.”

Eala’s attention now shifts to her first appearance at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, the site where her idol Maria Sharapova was crowned champion in 2011. With a first-round bye, Eala will begin her tournament this weekend: “I am super excited to be here in Cincy for the first time.”