Alex Eala, the rising star of Philippine tennis, has recently shared a series of revealing confessions about her journey, ambitions, and inspirations. From fangirling over Rafael Nadal to setting ambitious goals for the upcoming seasons, Eala’s candidness offers a glimpse into the life of a young athlete striving for greatness. This article delves into Eala’s confessions, exploring her dreams, challenges, and the path she’s carving in the world of professional tennis.
Fangirling over Nadal: A Dream Come True
In a heartwarming revelation, Alex Eala confessed to having a “fangirling” moment when she first met her idol, Rafael Nadal. Growing up in Manila, Eala’s early memories of tennis were intertwined with Nadal’s image. “To me, Rafa wasn’t just a tennis player,” Eala said. “He was this mythical figure, unstoppable, humble, relentless. Watching him made me fall in love with the sport.”
Eala recalled two significant encounters with Nadal. The first was when Nadal visited her school in Manila to conduct a clinic before opening his academy. Eala, around 10 years old at the time, described it as a “big event.” She even remembers Tony Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach, feeding her a few balls during the clinic.
The second encounter occurred at Madrid airport while Eala was on her way to try out at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. Eala admitted that she and her family “kind of ran after” Nadal. “We were fangirling,” she confessed. They informed Nadal about their visit to his academy, and he graciously took a picture with them.
Eala shared that Nadal was everything she had hoped for: friendly, focused, and deeply respectful. However, when he approached her to shake her hand, she “froze.” “I couldn’t speak,” she said. “Like literally, I smiled, nodded, maybe muttered something like ‘Hi Rafa.’ But my brain was just offline.”
This “total fangirl moment” humanized Eala, reminding everyone that behind every prodigy is a dreamer and behind every professional swing is a childhood inspiration. The support and presence of her idol meant more than words could capture. Over time, the fangirl glow settled into a deeper mentor-student respect that has shaped Eala’s career.
Setting Ambitious Goals for 2025
Looking ahead, Alex Eala has set ambitious goals for the 2025 season. Her primary objectives include breaking into the WTA Top 100, winning a title, and qualifying for a Grand Slam main draw.
Eala is currently ranked 69th in the world , a significant jump from her previous standings. Breaking into the Top 100 would be a major milestone, and she is determined to achieve it. “Ranking-wise, I’d like to get close to 100,” she revealed.
Qualifying for a Grand Slam main draw is another top priority. Eala came close to achieving this feat in 2024, reaching the third qualifying round of the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. “This year, I’ve been so close,” she shared. “In the past three Grand Slams, I’ve come so close and ‘yan yung sinasabi ko kanina—so close but hindi pa nangyayari.” The 2025 French Open marked Alex Eala’s Grand Slam main draw debut , where she faced Emiliana Arango.
Eala also aims to win at least one title in 2025, underscoring her hunger for continued growth and success. “There’s no particular title, but I’d preferably like to win at least one per year,” she added.
Overcoming Challenges: Visa Troubles
Despite her talent and dedication, Alex Eala faces unique challenges as a tennis player from the Philippines. One significant obstacle is securing visas for international travel.
Eala explained that being a citizen of the Philippines makes it challenging to travel with flexibility. “As a tennis player, you need to be very flexible with your schedule,” Eala said. “You’re going to make a lot of last-minute choices, and it doesn’t allow you time to organize all of this—every single time—to have the visas ready.”
As of 2025, the Philippine passport ranks 74th in the Henley Passport Index, affording visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to only 65 countries and territories. This means that Eala needs a visa in advance to travel to the locations of the four Grand Slam tournaments, as well as Asian swing hub China.
Despite these challenges, Eala remains proud of her heritage and wouldn’t trade it for anything. She values the fan support from the Filipino diaspora, which has followed her across the globe. “You cannot find that kind of community anywhere else, in my opinion,” she confessed.
Miami Open Success and Future Ambitions
Alex Eala’s remarkable performance at the 2025 Miami Open marked a defining moment in her career. She became the first Filipina to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament, propelling her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
Eala’s success at the Miami Open is a testament to her unwavering dedication and the robust foundation laid during her years at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Her aggressive playing style, characterized by flat, powerful groundstrokes and exceptional return abilities, has drawn admiration from tennis analysts and fans alike.
Reflecting on her Miami Open experience, Eala expressed deep pride and gratitude. “This year’s @miamiopen has left me speechless and so full of emotion, mostly pride and gratitude,” she shared. “I’m proud of myself for pushing through those tough moments, as well as to have been able to make a statement for the Philippines in one of the biggest stages of tennis.”
Eala also recognized that her journey in Miami has opened new doors, but with these opportunities come greater challenges. “I recognize that these two weeks have opened the door to so many opportunities for me, but along with those opportunities come a whole new set of obstacles I will have to navigate through,” she said. Despite the hurdles that lie ahead, Eala remains resolute in her ambition and has made it clear that the hard work is just beginning. “The real work starts now,” she stated.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Alex’s journey has ignited a renewed interest in tennis within the Philippines, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue the sport. As she continues to ascend in the professional ranks, Alex remains focused on her long-term goals: winning Grand Slam titles and attaining the world No. 1 ranking .
Eala’s Impact on Philippine Tennis
Alex Eala’s success has had a profound impact on tennis in the Philippines. She has become a role model for young athletes, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and believe in their potential.
Eala is the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title and the first to beat a top 10 player . Her achievements have shattered barriers and etched her name in the history books.
Eala recognizes the importance of her role in inspiring change and positive change in her country. “That’s the only thing I can do to give back to my country is to help inspire, to inspire change and positive change, to inspire people to pick up a racquet, to watch more tennis, watch more women’s tennis,” Eala confessed .
She believes that tennis in the Philippines has so much potential. “I think that tennis in the Philippines has so much potential, because even though it’s not as widespread as other sports, I feel that we have a lot of hidden talent, and if we can have the support to back it up and the exposure to back it up, then I think that Philippine tennis can be a big thing.”
Lessons from Losses: The Madrid Rematch
Following her success in Miami, Eala faced Iga Swiatek again at the Mutua Madrid Open. This time, Swiatek emerged victorious in a three-set comeback. Reflecting on the rematch, Eala confessed that she was happy with how she competed, but Swiatek executed better in the important moments.
“I’m happy with the match, happy with how I competed,” Eala said. “Obviously up a set and a break is a good situation to be in, but you have to remember that there’s another person on the other side of the court. More so, a multiple Roland Garros champion. She did well also … Things to take back and to learn.”
Eala acknowledged that Swiatek had a higher level than her in specific moments of the match. She recognized the importance of learning from such experiences and using them to improve her game.
Conclusion
Alex Eala’s journey is a testament to her talent, hard work, and unwavering determination. Her candid confessions provide insight into the life of a young athlete striving for greatness. From fangirling over Rafael Nadal to setting ambitious goals and overcoming challenges, Eala’s story is an inspiration to aspiring athletes and tennis fans alike. As she continues to break barriers and make her mark on the international stage, Alex Eala is undoubtedly the future of Filipino tennis.
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