Alexandra "Alex" Eala, ranked World No. 140, stepped onto the Miami Open stage as a wildcard—now, she stands as a history-maker. The 19-year-old Filipino tennis sensation defied the odds, blazing her way into the 2025 women's singles quarterfinals, where she will face World No. 2, 23-year-old Iga Swiatek of Poland.
What started as a dream has become a momentous breakthrough for Philippine tennis on the global stage.
My coach, family, and team kept reminding me to believe in myself—that was my biggest driving force. The main reason I'm here is that I truly believe I can do it. I believe I can win. I believe I can perform under high-pressure moments,
Eala said in a live-streamed interview with NewsWatch Plus Philippines.
Eala, a graduate of the prestigious Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Spain, secured her spot in the quarterfinals after World No. 11 Paula Badosa of Spain withdrew from their Round of 16 match due to a lingering back injury.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Eala: "Congratulations Alex! What a great win for you and for 🇵🇭! 👏🏻"
Winning streak
The Filipino tennis sensation delivered a stunning upset in the Round of 32, toppling World No. 5 and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys of the USA, 6-4, 6-2. That victory followed a nail-biting 7-6, 7-5 win over Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 64. Eala had earlier kicked off her Miami Open campaign with a strong performance against American Katie Volynets, winning 6-3, 7-6.
"I didn't expect to be in the quarterfinals, that's for sure," Eala admitted. "I just took it match by match. Miami is a tournament that I look forward to every year, and was lucky enough to get a wildcard again. I knew I had to make the most of it
and give my best as soon as I stepped on that court."
Eala first competed in the Miami Open main draw in 2021. Four years later, she finds herself as a quarterfinalist. "It’s such a full-circle moment," she beamed in a WTA interview.
Defying the odds
Against Keys, she embraced a humble yet determined mindset—chasing down every ball and accepting the challenges ahead.
"I had to accept that I wasn’t going to win every point, that she’s a big hitter, and that she was going to make great winners," she said. "But in the end, I pulled through."
Acknowledging Keys' experience and skill set, Eala focused on maximizing her own strengths. Despite a slight disturbance in her left thigh in the first set, she assured fans that it was nothing serious.
In her battle against Ostapenko, Eala revealed her winning mindset: "From the beginning, I told myself I could actually beat her. It’s tough to think that way, especially against decorated players. This is one of the first times I’ve faced opponents of this caliber, so it was a new experience for me. But that mindset helped me execute and perform."
Eyes on the future
Looking beyond Miami, Eala remains focused on her long-term aspirations. "The goal has always been to win Grand Slams and become World No. 1," she said. "But more than anything, I want to reach my full potential and be the best version of myself."
This year, Eala came in stronger, improving her endurance and speed—something she believes has made a huge difference. She will need all that confidence and preparation as she takes on Swiatek in what could be the biggest challenge of her young career.
Based on the Miami Open 2025 prize money breakdown, reaching the quarterfinals guarantees Eala a payout of $189,075 (approximately ₱10.8 million)—win or lose. However, if she advances, her earnings will jump to $332,160 (around ₱19 million). MLSA