Alexandra Eala, better known as Alex Eala, has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in tennis. The teenager from the Philippines made headlines following her deep run at the 2025 Miami Open, where she defeated top-seeded players and broke into the world’s top 120.
Growing up in Quezon City, Eala started playing tennis at a young age and became a student at the Rafa Nadal Academy. As part of a new generation of players, she made waves as a junior, winning Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles.
Now, after beating players like Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys, which marked her first Top 10 win, in Miami, she is poised to keep making noise on the WTA Tour. Here’s what to know about this rising talent.
How old is Alex Eala?
Alex Eala was born on May 23, 2005, making her 19 years old as of 2025.
Alexandra Eala is one of the WTA’s promising talents (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
How did Alex Eala start in tennis?
Eala began playing tennis at a young age and made a name for herself by winning the prestigious Les Petit As tournament at just 12 years old in 2018. That same year, she joined the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain.
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Alex Eala’s family
Her mother, Rosemarie Maniego-Eala, is a former SEA Games bronze medalist in swimming and a retired corporate executive. Her brother, Michael (Miko), played college tennis for Penn State University. Her uncle, Noli Eala, is a well-known sports commissioner in the Philippines.
Alex Eala’s career highlights
Eala has won multiple junior Grand Slam titles, including the 2022 US Open girls’ singles. She holds five ITF singles titles and three ITF doubles titles and achieved her first top-5 win at the 2025 Miami Open, becoming the first Filipino player to beat a top-10 opponent. She reached a career-high ranking of world No. 117 in early 2025.
Who is Eala’s coach?
She is currently coached by former tennis pro Daniel Gomez.
Alex Eala’s connection with Nadal
Alex Eala has trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Spain, since she was 12. She graduated from the academy in 2023 and has received public congratulations from Rafael Nadal himself following key victories in her career, including her big win over Madison Keys at the Miami Open. “Congratulations Alex! What a great win for you and for [the Philippines],” Nadal wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
