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Advocates Philippines
Alex Eala Stuns Ostapenko In Career-Best Win, Earns Praise From Rafael Nadal
Photo credit: Alex Eala
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala just pulled off the biggest win of her career, and the tennis world is taking notice—including Rafael Nadal himself. The 19-year-old sensation shocked No. 25 seed Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 7-6(2), 7-5, in what was a thrilling comeback victory.
A Teen with a Trailblazing Legacy
Eala has been making history for the Philippines since she was barely a teenager. She first turned heads by winning the prestigious Les Petits As U14 tournament in 2018, and since then, she’s been setting one milestone after another. In 2021, she became the first Filipina to win a WTA main-draw match, and in 2022, she brought home the US Open junior title—cementing her status as a rising star in the sport. That same year, she even graced the cover of Vogue Philippines, a testament to her growing influence beyond the tennis court.
Now ranked No. 140 in the world, Eala just added another first to her list—her maiden victory over a Top 30 opponent. And she did it in dramatic fashion.
A Battle of Momentum
Facing a former Grand Slam champion like Ostapenko is never easy, and early on, it looked like Eala might be in for a tough day. She fell behind 0-4 in the opening set but showed incredible resilience to claw her way back, ultimately stealing the set in a tiebreak.
The second set saw another rollercoaster of momentum shifts. This time, Eala stormed to a 4-0 lead, only for Ostapenko to unleash a barrage of winners and reel off five straight games. But just when it seemed like the Latvian might force a decider, Eala dug deep, saving a set point at 4-5 before closing out the match with a clutch three-game run.
Rafa Nadal Takes Notice
Eala’s performance didn’t go unnoticed, especially by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, whose academy in Spain has been instrumental in her development. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Nadal congratulated his protégé, saying:
“Congratulations Alex! What a great win for you and for 馃嚨馃嚟! 馃憦馃徎”
It’s a huge moment for Philippine tennis—and for Eala, it’s just another step in what’s shaping up to be an incredible career.
A Teen with a Trailblazing Legacy
Eala has been making history for the Philippines since she was barely a teenager. She first turned heads by winning the prestigious Les Petits As U14 tournament in 2018, and since then, she’s been setting one milestone after another. In 2021, she became the first Filipina to win a WTA main-draw match, and in 2022, she brought home the US Open junior title—cementing her status as a rising star in the sport. That same year, she even graced the cover of Vogue Philippines, a testament to her growing influence beyond the tennis court.
Now ranked No. 140 in the world, Eala just added another first to her list—her maiden victory over a Top 30 opponent. And she did it in dramatic fashion.
A Battle of Momentum
Facing a former Grand Slam champion like Ostapenko is never easy, and early on, it looked like Eala might be in for a tough day. She fell behind 0-4 in the opening set but showed incredible resilience to claw her way back, ultimately stealing the set in a tiebreak.
The second set saw another rollercoaster of momentum shifts. This time, Eala stormed to a 4-0 lead, only for Ostapenko to unleash a barrage of winners and reel off five straight games. But just when it seemed like the Latvian might force a decider, Eala dug deep, saving a set point at 4-5 before closing out the match with a clutch three-game run.
Rafa Nadal Takes Notice
Eala’s performance didn’t go unnoticed, especially by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, whose academy in Spain has been instrumental in her development. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Nadal congratulated his protégé, saying:
“Congratulations Alex! What a great win for you and for 馃嚨馃嚟! 馃憦馃徎”
It’s a huge moment for Philippine tennis—and for Eala, it’s just another step in what’s shaping up to be an incredible career.
Mar 22, 2025
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