The young Filipina player now advances to the Miami Open semis. They say a girl can dream—but for Gen Z, it’s not just about dreaming. It’s about making things happen. And that’s exactly what rising tennis star Alex Eala is doing. After making history at the Miami Open, becoming the first Filipino to ever defeat a top-10 opponent—none other than world No. 5 Madison Keys—she just now moved to the semis after defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
At just 19 years old, Alex, currently ranked No. 134, stepped onto the court with confidence. She played like a true pro. In a massive upset, she faced Australian Open finalist Madison Keys in the second round. She kept her cool, taking advantage of early break exchanges. In the second set, she completely dominated. The result? A stunning 6-4, 6-2 victory. This win snapped Keys’ streak of 17 victories in her last 18 matches.
But this win wasn’t just another upset—it was a historic moment for Philippine tennis. No Filipino player, male or female, had ever beaten a top-10 opponent since the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings started in 1975. Alex Eala defeating Iga Swiatek adds another groundbreaking achievement to her name, inspiring young Filipino athletes to dream bigger.
Here’s What You Have to Know About Alex Eala
Alex’s Miami Open journey has been nothing short of incredible. She kicked things off by taking down world No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 64, winning 7-6 (2), 7-5. Then came her statement win against Keys. And now, with Spain’s Paula Badosa pulling out due to injury, Alex Eala defeats World No. 2 Iga Swiatek with an astounding 6-2, 7-5, securing her spot in the semifinals.
When asked about her big moment, Alex kept it humble yet determined: “It’s a big thing to take in, and I feel it’s important for me to take it in step by step. I’m so super proud of what I was able to accomplish, but it definitely fuels me more.”
To note, Alex has been making waves in the tennis world for a while now. She already has some major titles under her belt, including the 2020 Australian Open junior doubles championship and the 2021 French Open junior doubles championship. But her biggest achievement so far? Winning the 2022 US Open junior title, making her the first Filipino to ever claim a junior Grand Slam singles championship.
Alex Eala is living proof that dreams are worth chasing—and that talent, hard work, and resilience can take you to places you never imagined. Let’s continue to support her as she takes on the world—because a girl can do more than just dream. She can make it happen.
Cover image credit: jimmie48tennis
