Alexandra Eala’s Historic US Open Run: Breaking Barriers for Philippine Tennis

Making History at Flushing Meadows

Alexandra Eala has etched her name in tennis history by becoming the first Filipino player to win a Grand Slam match in the Open era, securing a remarkable 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) first-round victory over 14th seed Clara Tauson at the 2025 US Open.

A Dramatic Comeback

In a stunning display of resilience, Eala, facing 14th seed Clara Tauson in the opening round, found herself down 5-1 in the deciding set. However, she mounted an incredible comeback, forcing a tiebreak and ultimately securing the win in dramatic fashion.

Rising Star’s Journey

Eala’s journey began in Quezon City, Philippines, where she started playing tennis at age four. Her development accelerated when she began training at the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, at age 13, where she developed her aggressive baseline game and mental toughness.

2025 Breakthrough Season

The 2025 season has been pivotal for Eala. At the Miami Open, as a wildcard ranked No. 140, she stunned the tennis world by defeating three Grand Slam champions — Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek — en route to the semifinals, becoming the first Filipina to reach this stage at a WTA 1000 event.

Future Prospects

With her aggressive baseline play and mental resilience, experts view Eala as a trailblazer for Filipino and Southeast Asian tennis, with the potential to inspire a new generation. She acknowledges that while she can compete at the highest level, she still has areas to improve, stating ‘My level is there, but I still have a lot to work on’.