MANILA Alex Eala is reaching new milestones following her remarkable run at the WTA Miami Open last March.
The 19-year-old Filipina tennis sensation is set to make her much-anticipated Grand Slam main draw debut at the French Open, which begins in late May, after an impressive showing in Florida where she battled past higher-ranked opponents to reach the semifinals.
“I’m super excited,” Eala shared during an online media session on Tuesday. Now ranked a career-best No. 73 in the world, she emphasized the significance of her upcoming Roland Garros appearance. “Starting in the main draw is a huge step. It brings bigger challenges, but there’s so much opportunity for growth,” she added.
To secure her spot in the French Open main draw, Eala had to outperform strong contenders, including Katie Volynets of the U.S. in the early rounds of the Miami Open. From there, she stunned the tennis world by defeating former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open winner Madison Keys, and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. In the semifinals, she pushed World No. 4 Jessica Pegula to the edge.
Reflecting on her giant-killing streak, Eala said, “It’s still a bit surreal. I’m incredibly proud beating Top 5 players is something I never imagined saying out loud.”
Despite her success, Eala insists this is just the beginning. “That mindset can’t be limited to one tournament. The journey isn’t over. There’s a new bar I’ve set for myself, and now it’s about learning to handle that pressure,” she explained.
Eala also noted the importance of staying composed and managing the physical demands of high-level matches. Before heading to Roland Garros, she will first compete at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, which starts on April 14.
Be the first to comment