Alexandra Eala's Big Steps

A photo of Alexandra Eala, flanked by Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek, during the graduation event from the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain, in 2023, has resurfaced on social media. The photo circulated after Eala achieved the biggest victory of her career by defeating Swiatek in the WTA 1000 Miami tournament.

The moment occurred during the quarterfinals at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, United States, on Wednesday (26/3/2025) local time. The 19-year-old tennis player won with a score of 6-2, 7-5.

There were no shouts or smiles when Eala scored the final point as the ball from Swiatek's shot landed out of bounds. The 19-year-old teenager was simply stunned, slightly trembling, even as she received congratulations from Swiatek. Only after shaking hands with the umpire did Eala smile, raise her hand, and celebrate her victory amidst the applause of the audience.

Among those in the stands were the parents, Mike Eala and Rizza Maniego-Eala, who flew in from the Philippines. They were in the team’s section alongside Eala’s coaching team from the Rafa Nadal Academy.

Another special figure present in the stands was Toni Nadal. The uncle and former coach of Nadal served as an ambassador for the academy and previously held the position of academy director from 2016 to 2023.

“There was a lot of extra motivation in today’s match. I wanted my family to see my victory. Also, Toni came to Miami. It means a lot because I trained at the academy for years. The pride of being an academy student is in me,” said Eala, who competed in Miami as a wildcard.

The victory over Swiatek marked Eala's greatest triumph and the highest stage of a tournament since competing in the professional arena in 2020. This occurred after she eliminated other Grand Slam champions, namely Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open champion) and Madison Keys (2025 Australian Open champion) in the second and third rounds.

Compared to Ostapenko and Keys, Swiatek is on a different level despite not having won a title in 2025. At the age of 23, Swiatek has five Grand Slam titles, has been the world number one tennis player, and has delivered the best performance over the past three years.

So, Eala couldn't believe what she achieved when she played against the Polish tennis player. Moreover, this happened in a WTA 1000 tournament which is only one level below the Grand Slam. "I was very focused on winning points. So, it was hard to believe what happened. I need time to digest everything because I've never experienced this," said Eala when explaining her expression at the end of the match.

Compared to Swiatek, Keys and Ostapenko, Eala has little experience on the WTA Tour. She only competed in a WTA 1000 event in 2021 and had never advanced past the second round before Miami 2025.

At the Grand Slam level, the only Filipina on the WTA Tour has only qualified since 2023. However, Eala said she has the tools to compete in the professional arena, namely the ability to sort out problems and emotions so that she can focus on the match.

That ability will also be brought to undergo the semifinals against Jessica Pegula, Thursday night local time or Friday morning Indonesian time. The other semifinal brings together world number one tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jasmine Paolini.

Eala's resilience was nurtured since she left her hometown to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy at the age of 13. Even though tennis is not a popular sport in the Philippines.

Eala trained in Mallorca on a scholarship after winning the tournament for 12-14 year olds, Les Petits As. She learned to be independent because she lived in a dormitory, living with fellow young tennis players with the same aspirations and with top coaches.

"The path to progress is difficult. I don't have a role model (from my own country), although there are many others I can look up to. Hopefully my journey here can raise the level of tennis in the Philippines," the world number 140 told the New York Times.

Eala was introduced to tennis by her grandfather, who was a big fan of the sport. He introduced tennis to all of his grandchildren by taking them to a local tennis club. Of all the grandchildren, Eala and her brother, Miko, are the most interested in tennis. Miko, who is 23, plays tennis for Pennsylvania State University.

"I never imagined myself pursuing any other sport, other than tennis. I feel like I'm constantly developing and have potential in this sport," said the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games women's singles bronze medalist.

Eala is among a group of young women who have caught the attention of tennis fans in the first three months of 2025. Mirra Andreeva, a 17-year-old Russian, won back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. She is currently ranked sixth in the world and the youngest player in the world’s top 100.

Australian 18-year-old Maya Joint is the other teenager to break into the top 100 at No. 80. Eala will follow thanks to her run in Miami. If she were to count points based on her run to the semi-finals, she would be ranked No. 75.

"Of course, it's a big step, but I'm the same person I was two weeks ago. I have to stay humble and work hard. The results will match the hard work," he said. (AFP)