The primary Filipina to win a WTA title cites two secrets and techniques to her success.
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Photograph credit score: Mubadala DC Open Fb
Flashy footwork marked Alexandra Eala’s first foray into tennis.
As a self-described “chubby-cheeked” little one rising up within the Philippines, Eala took nice pleasure operating across the tennis court docket in sparkly sneakers that “lit up” as she moved.
The 21-year-old Eala’s rise to her maiden title in Washington, DC on Monday set Filipino followers aglow and electrified the game.
Filipina phenom Eala capped a profession breakthrough week that noticed her take out the highest three seeds—the top-seeded Pegula, second-seeded Elina Svitolina and third-seeded Naomi Osaka—in addition to defending-champion Leylah Fernandez and Olympic gold-medal champion Zheng Qinwen to change into the primary gamers from the Philippines to win a WTA title.
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Speaking to the media in Toronto forward of her Nationwide Financial institution Open opener vs. big-serving American Alycia Parks tonight, Eala shared two key parts to her success.
A fierce combating spirit, honed at hero Rafa Nadal’s Tennis Academy and Mallorca, and provoking assist from Filipino followers are foundational gasoline for her recreation, Eala mentioned.
“After I step on court docket, I assume that is my, what, first or second 12 months on tour, however I’ve been taking part in tennis principally my entire life,” mentioned Eala, coached by Joan Bosch of the Rafa Nadal Academy. “So if there’s one factor I understand how to do it’s I understand how to compete.
“It’s not at all times going to be good days, there’s positively going to be unhealthy days, however that’s one factor I generally is a skilled in, and I take pleasure in that.”
The vocal assist she’s obtained from Filipino followers at tournaments all around the world is an energizing supply of pleasure for Eala. We attended Eala’s dramatic 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Dayana Yastremska in a late-night conflict on an outer court docket at Indian Wells final March and have been struck by what number of followers have been waving Philippines flags, cheering the left-handed shotmaker on each level. Eala not solely rode that wave of assist to edge Yastremska, she went on to upset Coco Gauff, by way of second-set retirement, earlier than struggling a crushing round-of-16 loss to eventual Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.
Eala mentioned fan assist from the Alex Military is a blessing not a burden.
“No, it’s not an additional burden. It’s positively an honor for me to characterize my nation, and I’m tremendous grateful for the entire love and recognition that I’m getting,” Eala mentioned. “In these particular moments after I’m dwelling it, they do change into fairly overwhelming, you recognize, particularly after I’m experiencing issues for the primary time, however all in a optimistic mild.”
The woman who as soon as wore light-up sneakers on court docket goals to increase this sensible run this week in Toronto and this month on the US Open.
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Philippine flags have been waving and Eala was flying in Flushing Meadows final August.
Eala turned Grandstand Court docket right into a homecoming bash gutting out an exhilarating 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(11) upset of 14th-seeded Clara Tauson in a memorable US Open opening-round win.
Three years after she shot to success successful the US Open junior crown, a dynamic Eala made historical past once more as the primary Filipino participant to win a Grand Slam main-draw match within the Open Period.
“I’m so blessed to be the primary to do that,” Eala mentioned. “Like I mentioned, I take a lot pleasure in representing my nation.
“It makes what I do greater than myself, and it offers—it provides which means to what I do.”
Straddling the baseline, the lefty launches dagger drives down the road robbing response time from opponents whereas carving them up within the corners. Eala’s clear ball hanging, damaging flat drives, ability altering route down the road and a menacing return recreation make her a hazard to the elites.
Eala has received 5 straight matches in opposition to High 10 opponents, together with dethroning defending-champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, at Wimbledon final month.
Eala rampaged via eight straight video games defeating No. 3 Jessica Pegula within the 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 Washington, DC ultimate triumph leaving the highest seed impressed by Eala’s aggression and command taking part in first-strike tennis. At instances, the previous US Open finalist appeared like a battered boxer who couldn’t see the subsequent punch coming.
“I believe the way in which that she performs, with taking the ball actually early and tremendous aggressive,” Pegula mentioned of Eala. “To me, ladies that type of play like that, they’ll go on swings of momentum in a short time as a result of the whole lot begins occurring very quick if you happen to’re the opponent.
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“Like, unexpectedly she’s altering the ball, taking it early, hitting winners, you’re out of place, and issues type of transfer rapidly. I believe that’s most likely one of many the reason why you see that generally in her matches, or why she will be able to flip matches actually rapidly, if she will be able to type of discover her vary, and let’s say the opposite individual isn’t perhaps doing a ok job of getting her out of rhythm. So I believe that’s one of many causes that you simply’ve seen that.”
Now, the primary Filipina to crack the WTA High 20 is a real High 10 menace.
As soon as a toddler romping round in shiny sneakers, Eala has grown into a lady able to changing into a significant mover if she will be able to strengthen her serve and keep wholesome.
“I believe I’ve improved as a participant if you happen to evaluate now to the start of the 12 months,” Eala mentioned. “I believe my main purpose is to play good matches, and at stage. I believe the extra I’m ready to try this persistently, the extra rewarding it’s for me. And I assume this week and the previous summer season has been actually good by way of that.”
Richard Pagliaro. Richard Pagliaro is Tennis Now Managing Editor. He’s a graduate of New York College and has coated professional tennis for greater than 35 years. Richard was tennis columnist for Gannett Newspapers in NY, served as Managing Editor for TennisWeek.com and labored as a author/editor for Tennis.com. He has been TennisNow.com managing editor since 2010.
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