Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala is serving up history and smashing records, putting the Philippines on the global tennis map.
At just 19, Alex became the first Filipino woman to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament.
To secure this title, she defeated top-ranked players, including world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.
With this breakthrough run, she has soared to a career-high singles ranking of world No. 75.
Read: Pinoy waterjet ski racers win at Waterjet World Cup 2024
EARLY LIFE
Full Name
Alex's full name is Alexandra Maniego Eala.
Birthday, Age
Born on May 23, 2005, she is 19 years old at press time.
Family
Alex comes from a family deeply rooted in sports.
Her mother, Rosemarie "Rizza" Maniego-Eala, is a former competitive swimmer who earned a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games. She later built a successful corporate career, serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Globe Telecom until her retirement in 2024.
Her father, Mike Eala, has been a steadfast supporter of her tennis journey.
Alex's older brother, Michael "Miko" Eala, also shares her passion for tennis and played for the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions from 2020 to 2024.
Alex has always credited her family for its unwavering support in her journey and victories.
While training at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy has played a role in shaping her career, her foundation in the sport was laid long before she arrived in Spain.
"The academy has been my home for the past seven years. Of course, my family should take credit for the foundation that they laid out before they sent me here," she shared with ABS-CBN on March 24, 2025.
"But of course, the academy was able to build on that foundation in such a way that I’m able to be where I am now."
Read: Nesthy Petecio, prayoridad ang pamilya sa mga nakuhang incentives
EDUCATION
At just 12 years old, Alex earned a scholarship to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Spain, after winning the prestigious Les Petits As, a junior tennis tournament for players aged 12–14, held in Tarbes, France.
She relocated to Spain at 13, and dedicated herself to rigorous training while completing her education.
In 2024, she graduated from the academy, expressing deep gratitude for its impact on her growth—both on and off the court.
ALEX EALA'S TENNIS CAREER
Alex’s tennis journey began with impressive achievements in junior competitions.
She won the prestigious 2018 Les Petits As 14-and-under tournament and made her junior Grand Slam debut at the 2019 US Open.
In 2020, she claimed the Australian Open girls’ doubles title alongside Priska Madelyn Nugroho and reached the French Open singles semifinals, climbing to a career-high ITF junior ranking of No. 2.
Her transition to professional tennis was equally remarkable.
In January 2021, Alex won her first professional title at the ITF USD15k tournament in Manacor, Spain.
She continued to make waves on the ITF Women’s Circuit, capturing multiple titles and steadily climbing the WTA rankings.
In 2025, Alex's performance at the Miami Open became a defining moment in her career.
Entering the tournament ranked No. 140, she received a wildcard entry and went on to defeat formidable opponents, including Katie Volynets, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Her victory over Swiatek was particularly significant, as the Polish star had been her mentor during her time at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
This historic run made Alex the first Filipina to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event and propelled her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
Read: Carlos Yulo: 5 months after his historic Paris 2024 Olympics feat
PERSONAL LIFE
Rumored Relationship WITH Coleman Wong
Alex's stellar performance at the 2025 Miami Open coincided with growing speculation about a possible romance with fellow tennis player Coleman Wong, a fellow Rafa Nadal Academy student.
Rumors began swirling when fans noticed the two frequently appearing together in social media posts.
Their strong performances in the tournament only fueled curiosity, as both athletes continued to make headlines for their on-court success and off-court friendship.
However, Alex quickly put the rumors to rest during a press conference following her victory over Madison Keys.
When asked directly if Coleman was her boyfriend, she responded with a firm and straightforward answer:
"No, he is not."
Despite denying the dating rumors, she expressed genuine admiration for Coleman's success.
"You know, I’m super happy for him, and to see someone that I’ve known so long do so well is definitely an inspiration. Not just to me, but I feel in general a lot of people can take inspiration from him," the Pinay tennis player said.
While her statement made it clear that romance was not in the picture, some fans remain curious about her relationship status.
Just a day after Valentine’s, on February 15, 2025, Alex shared a photo of herself holding a bouquet of flowers with the caption: “A girl with flowers is a happy girl.” She kept the sender's identity a mystery.
