Who is Alexandra Eala?
Alexandra Maniego Eala is a professional tennis player from the Philippines, born on May 23, 2005, in Quezon City. She has made history as the highest-ranked Filipina in WTA Tour history, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 72 as of April 14, 2025. Eala gained international attention after her remarkable performance at the 2025 Miami Open, where she defeated top players including Madison Keys and Iga Świątek to reach the semifinals. Trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy since age 12, Eala is celebrated for her powerful left-handed play and her role in elevating Philippine tennis on the global stage.
👶 Early Life and Education
Alexandra Eala was born in Quezon City, Metro Manila, into a family deeply rooted in sports and media. Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, was a former national swimmer and later served as an executive at Globe Telecom. From an early age, Alexandra displayed a keen interest in sports, particularly tennis, which she began playing at age four.
She trained initially at the Manila Polo Club before being accepted into the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, at the age of 12. Balancing academics with rigorous tennis training, she pursued her education through an international homeschooling program tailored to elite athletes. Her exposure to global-level coaching and training at the Nadal Academy played a pivotal role in shaping her technique, discipline, and professional aspirations.
👪 Personal Life
Despite her growing fame, Alexandra Eala maintains a grounded and private personal life. Known for her maturity and humility, she prefers to let her racquet do the talking. When off the court, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and listening to music. Her calm and focused demeanor has earned her respect from peers and fans alike, especially considering the pressures that come with professional sports at such a young age.
Detailed Bio Table
Field | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Alexandra Maniego Eala |
Date of Birth | May 23, 2005 |
Birthplace | Quezon City, Philippines |
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Turned Pro | March 4, 2020 |
Playing Style | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Coach | Joan Bosch |
Parents | Rosemarie “Rizza” Maniego-Eala (mother) |
Siblings | Michael “Miko” Eala (brother) |
Training Academy | Rafa Nadal Academy, Manacor, Spain |
Career Prize Money | US$ 831,061 |
Highest Singles Ranking | No. 72 (April 14, 2025) |
Current Singles Ranking | No. 72 (April 14, 2025) |
Net Worth (2025) | Estimated between $1 million and $2 million |
👨👩👧 Family Background
Alexandra comes from a supportive and accomplished family. Her father, Michael Eala, is a businessman, while her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, was a national swimmer for the Philippines and currently holds an executive role at Globe Telecom. Her older brother, Michael Rafael Eala, is also a tennis player and has competed in international tournaments. The Eala family has been a strong pillar behind her success, especially during her developmental years.
Their encouragement and willingness to invest in her talent—including sending her abroad to train—have been instrumental in her journey. The blend of athletic pedigree and a nurturing environment has enabled Alexandra to chase her dreams with confidence.
🎾 Tennis Career
🏆 Junior Years and Grand Slam Success
Alexandra began making headlines in the junior tennis world when she won the 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles title alongside Indonesian partner Priska Nugroho. She followed that up with another Grand Slam win in 2021, taking home the French Open girls’ doubles title with Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva.
Her most defining junior moment came in 2022, when she became the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title by triumphing at the US Open Girls’ Singles Championship. This achievement not only elevated her international profile but also made her a national icon in the Philippines.
💼 Turning Professional
In 2020, Alexandra officially turned pro and began competing in ITF and WTA events. Despite her youth, she displayed resilience and skill beyond her years, often competing against older, more experienced opponents.
Between 2020 and 2022, she secured several ITF titles and slowly climbed the WTA rankings. Her style of play, which includes powerful groundstrokes, sharp court sense, and strong mental composure, began to attract attention from tennis analysts and fans.
📈 Rise in the WTA Tour (2023–2025)
From 2023 onwards, Alexandra continued to break records. In 2023, she became the first Filipina to reach a WTA semifinal, and by 2024, she was already pushing into the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
Her 2025 season began with a bang, making it into the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 tournament, defeating top-ranked players along the way. This milestone indicates that she’s no longer just a rising star—she’s becoming a serious contender on the tour.
Career Highlights Table
Year | Tournament/Event | Achievement/Result |
---|---|---|
2018 | ITF Juniors Circuit | Began competing in junior tournaments |
2020 | Australian Open Junior Doubles | 🏆 Champion (with Priska Nugroho) |
2020 | Rafael Nadal Academy | Joined full-time training in Mallorca, Spain |
2021 | French Open Junior Singles | Semifinalist |
2021 | ITF Women’s Circuit | Won her 1st professional match |
2021 | US Open Juniors | Quarterfinalist |
2022 | W25 Chiang Rai (Thailand) | 🏆 Won 1st ITF Women’s Singles Title |
2022 | French Open Junior Doubles | 🏆 Champion (with Lucie Havlíčková) |
2022 | US Open Junior Singles | 🏆 Champion – First Filipina to win a junior Grand Slam singles title |
2023 | WTA Tour | Broke into Top 250 in WTA Singles Ranking |
2024 | ITF and WTA Challenger Events | Consistent quarterfinal & semifinal finishes |
2025 | WTA 1000 Event | Reached Quarterfinals, defeating a top-20 seed |
Social Media Accounts
Platform | Official Link |
---|---|
@alex.eala | |
Alexandra Eala | |
@alex_eala |
Latest News: Miami Open Breakthrough
In March 2025, Alexandra Eala made headlines with her stunning performance at the Miami Open. Entering the tournament as a wildcard ranked No. 140, she defeated top players including Madison Keys and Iga Świątek to reach the semifinals. This historic run marked her as the first Filipina to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal and propelled her into the Top 100 rankings, reaching No. 72. Eala’s performance has been celebrated as a significant milestone for Philippine tennis.
Physical Appearance
Standing at 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches), Alexandra Eala possesses an athletic build that complements her aggressive playing style. Her left-handed play, combined with a powerful two-handed backhand, allows her to dominate baseline rallies. Eala’s agility and court coverage are enhanced by her rigorous training at the Rafa Nadal Academy, contributing to her success against top-tier opponents.
Net Worth as of 2025
As of 2025, Alexandra Eala’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $2 million. This includes her career prize money earnings of over $831,000 and endorsements from brands such as Nike and BPI. Her recent success at the Miami Open is expected to attract further sponsorships and increase her marketability on the global stage.
FAQs
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Where did Alex Eala go to school? Alexandra Eala was homeschooled while pursuing her tennis career, allowing her to balance both academics and rigorous training.
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How is Alex Eala related to Noli Eala? Noli Eala is Alexandra Eala’s uncle. He is a well-known figure in Philippine sports, particularly in basketball.
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What is Alexandra Eala ranked? As of early 2025, Alexandra Eala is ranked in the Top 100 of the WTA singles rankings, with her career trajectory pointing toward further climbs.