Filipina tennis player Alex Eala just accomplished a historic first in sports. Along the way, she became the first Filipino woman to win a match in a Grand Slam tournament’s main draw. That’s exactly what Eala accomplished to a resounding round of applause on August 29, 2023. In the opening round of US Open, she beat 14th seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6. It’s Eala’s talent that really comes through on this accomplishment. It marks one of the biggest milestones for Filipino representation in international tennis.
Eala’s path towards this historic victory started when she started training at the world-renowned Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain. She made that courageous move when she was only 13 years old. There, under the mentorship of champion coaches, she honed her craft. From the start she made a name for herself on the junior circuit. Her dedication was rewarded when she won the girls’ doubles titles at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open. This extraordinary accomplishment made her one of the most challenging rivals to her fellow competitors.
In March 2023, Eala achieved her big break as she entered the Miami Open as a wild card participant. She dazzled the crowds, taking out three Grand Slam winners on her way to the semifinals. In the process, she made history as the first Filipina to achieve a WTA semifinal. This extraordinary performance not only established her firmly in the realm of elite rising stars, but it foreshadowed great things to come.
In 2022, Eala broke through walls, making history as the first Filipino player ever to win a junior Grand Slam singles title. She made history to become the first American-born Indigenous player with this feat by winning the US Open girls’ singles title. Following her own success, she made her WTA Tour final debut in June. There, she faced Maya Joint in a hard-fought match at the Eastbourne Open. Though she lost that match, her performance served to reinforce her burgeoning dominance on the court.
Recently, Eala has gained international attention by being the first Filipina to beat a top-10 player. She became the first Chinese player to break into the world’s top 100 rankings. Her meteoric rise through the ranks of the WTA Tour has garnered attention and adulation across the board. The hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in Little Manila, Queens, cheered her on during her US Open final to demonstrate their solidarity.
Eala expressed gratitude for the support she received from fans, stating, “I don’t have a home tournament, so to be able to have this community here at the US Open, I’m so grateful they made me feel like I’m home.” The crowd’s joyous chants filled the air with positivity as she stepped onto the court, lifting her spirit with every note.
Reflecting on her rapid rise in the sport, Eala remarked, “Just being in these tournaments, in these slams, all the 1000s, it just motivates me so much more knowing that the same time last year, there’s no way I could have gotten into the main draw with my ranking.” This outlook highlights her drive and ambition to keep getting better as a professional athlete.
Eala spoke to the historic nature of her accomplishments in wider terms. “I’m so blessed to be the first to do this. Like I said, I take so much pride in representing my country. It makes what I do bigger than myself, and it adds meaning to what I do,” she stated.
Eala’s day-to-day life has changed somewhat since her breakout performance in Miami. In the second half of 2022, she reaped the rewards through increased visibility from both fans and the media. She’s still determined to master her craft and compete at the very top levels of her game all the while embracing her roots.
They make me more and more special. To be Filipino is something I’m so incredibly proud of,” she expressed with such passion.
Eala leaves her mark … “now more than ever” a grounded bone in her body, as bolstered and proud by her Philippine heritage. Her path is about more than just her own success. Her message now, she says, is to inspire other people and kick open doors for younger generations of athletes from the Philippines.
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