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After a whirlwind year that saw her storm into the Top 50 of the WTA rankings, Alexandra “Alex” Eala has returned to the Philippines to take a breather, and to gear up for another mission: bringing home SEA Games gold for Philippine tennis.
Her first stop? A quiet moment in Batangas, overlooking the Taal Volcano, where she captioned a photo on social media with: “I always find my way back home.” That post perfectly captures where Alex is right now: grounded, grateful, and ready for what’s next.
At 20 years old, Alex is fresh off a record-breaking 2025 season that saw her rise from No. 158 all the way to No. 50 in the world; the first Filipina ever to break into the WTA’s elite Top 50.
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| Alex Eala pulls off an upset win against World No. 2 Iga Swiatek during the 2025 Miami Open. Photo: WTA. |
Her climb was powered by a series of breathtaking wins, including her first-ever WTA title in Guadalajara, a historic main-draw victory at the US Open, and a semifinal finish in Miami, where she stunned global stars like Iga Świątek, Jelena Ostapenko, and Madison Keys.
But Alex isn’t slowing down. With the 33rd SEA Games coming up this December in Thailand, she’s setting her sights on a long-awaited goal, a gold medal. The 2022 Hanoi edition gave her three bronzes, but this time, she’s eyeing the top of the podium.
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| Alex Eala during the 2025 Hong Kong Open. Photo: Getty Images. |
“SEA Games is definitely part of my plans,” she shared after wrapping up her season at the Hong Kong Open, where she reached the Round of 16. “I’m excited to represent the Philippines again.”
The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) has already expressed its desire for Alex to lead the national squad. With her momentum at an all-time high, it’s shaping up to be a golden opportunity.
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| Alex Eala. Photo: WTA. |
And the good news doesn’t stop there. Talks are underway for a possible WTA 125 event in the Philippines next year, dubbed the Philippine Open or Manila Open. If it pushes through, it would be the country’s biggest-ever professional tennis tournament.
“If it were to happen, it would be such a milestone for Philippine tennis,” Alex said. “Growing up, we never had tournaments like that. To finally see it happen — it means we’re moving forward.”
Alex Eala isn’t just raising the flag; she’s redefining what’s possible for Filipino tennis.