MANILA — Rising tennis star Alex Eala continues her ascent in the international sports arena following her historic run at the WTA Miami Open last March.
The 19-year-old Filipina ace, who triumphed over higher-ranked opponents to secure a semifinal finish in Florida, is now poised to make her Grand Slam main draw debut at the French Open, which kicks off in late May.
“I’m super excited,” Eala shared during an online press conference on Tuesday. Recently achieving her career-high ranking at No. 73 in the world, she expressed pride in her accomplishments while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
“It’s a big achievement to start in the main draw. With that comes bigger challenges, but there is so much to gain,” she said.
Eala’s impressive performance in Miami included overcoming tough competition to secure an outright spot in the main draw of Roland Garros. Her victories included defeating USA’s Katie Volynets in the Round of 128, as well as world No. 25 Katie Volynets in the Round of 64.
She went on to stun an elite roster of players: former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. In the semifinals, she pushed world No. 4 Jessica Pegula to the limit in a thrilling match.
“It’s a bit hard to process because these are such big wins, but I’m super proud of myself,” Eala said. Reflecting on her victories against Top 5 players, she added, “Just to say I’ve won over Top 5 players feels very surreal.”
Despite her remarkable success in Miami, Eala emphasized that her journey is far from over.
“That mentality doesn’t just end with that tournament. The work isn’t done,” she pointed out. “There’s a new standard for me now, and managing that is one of the obstacles I face. Time will tell, but for now, I’m focused on preparing.”
She also highlighted her commitment to consistency, saying, “I take pride in how I handle myself on the court and control my emotions, even during losses. The next step is to replicate that level of intensity and ensure my body can withstand it repeatedly.”
Eala is set to face some of the world’s best players at the French Open, scheduled from May 25 to June 18. Before that, she will compete at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, which begins on April 14.
