Alex Eala has turned a historic run at the Mubadala DC Open into another breakthrough moment for Philippine tennis.
The 21-year-old Filipina defeated Zheng Qinwen, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina and Naomi Osaka to reach her first WTA 500 final. Her championship match against Jessica Pegula was postponed by rain with Pegula leading 6-4, 1-2.
Before Eala resumes her pursuit of a first WTA Tour title, here are five fast facts about the rising tennis star.
1. Alex Eala Comes From an Athletic Family
Alexandra Maniego Eala was born May 23, 2005, in Quezon City, Philippines.
Her mother, Rosemarie “Rizza” Maniego-Eala, was a competitive swimmer who won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games. Her father, Mike Eala, is a business executive.
Eala’s older brother, Michael “Miko” Eala, also played competitive tennis. He spent four seasons with Penn State’s men’s tennis program.
“Tennis is in my family,” Eala told the WTA.
2. Her Grandfather Was Her First Tennis Coach
Eala began playing tennis when she was approximately 4 years old. Her grandfather, Roberto Maniego, coached her until she was 13.
She trained alongside Miko every day after school, often on the lone hard court at Valle Verde Country Club. Her grandfather deliberately chose that surface because the shell courts common in the Philippines were rarely found abroad.
Eala credited his demanding approach with establishing the mental strength that now defines her game, according to Town & Country.
3. She Moved to Spain at 13
Getty Alexandra Eala of the Philippines embraces her coach Joan Bosch while celebrating victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round during day four of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Zayed Sports City on February 04, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Eala’s victory at the prestigious Les Petits As junior tournament attracted the attention of the Rafa Nadal Academy. She moved to Manacor, Spain, with her brother in 2018.
The move allowed Eala to combine school with high-level tennis development. She graduated from the academy in 2023, when Iga Swiatek was the guest speaker at the ceremony.
Two years later, Eala defeated Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 during her landmark Miami Open run. The Rafa Nadal Academy said Nadal personally congratulated Eala after the victory.
4. Alex Eala Was a Junior Grand Slam Champion
Eala won three junior Grand Slam titles before establishing herself on the professional tour.
She partnered Priska Madelyn Nugroho to win the 2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles championship and teamed with Oksana Selekhmeteva for the 2021 French Open doubles title.
Her biggest junior triumph came at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she became the first Filipino player to win a junior Grand Slam singles championship.
The WTA noted that Eala had already become the first player from the Philippines to win a tour-level match by age 17.
5. She Keeps Rewriting Philippine Tennis History
GettyAlexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning a women’s singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Eala became the first Filipina to enter the WTA’s top 100 after reaching the 2025 Miami semifinals. She later became the first to crack the top 50 and reached a career-high No. 28.
At Wimbledon in 2026, Eala stunned defending champion Swiatek and became the first Filipino player to reach the second week of a Grand Slam. She also owns two WTA 125 titles, including Birmingham in June.
Her Washington run brought another first: No Filipino had previously reached a WTA 500 singles final. Whether she wins or loses against Pegula, Eala’s list of national milestones is still growing.
Alex Eala: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know