JUST like they say, be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Alex Eala, the Filipina tennis phenom, continues to demonstrate this as she reflects on her outstanding accomplishment at the 2025 WTA 1000 Miami Open.
A few days after losing to World No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals, the 19-year-old Eala conveyed her pride and gratitude to everyone who supported her throughout her incredible journey in an Instagram post.
The Philippines’ tennis star used the chance to not only thank everyone, but also to share her feelings on how unexpected the wins were for her, as well as how astonished Filipinos have been throughout this season.
A Class Act
Eala ended her Miami Open campaign with stunning wins, defeating notable players one after the other. Before exiting the semi-finals, she defeated Grand Slam champions Jeļena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek.
“Wow, this year’s Miami Open has left me speechless and so full of emotion, mostly pride and gratitude,” she started of her lengthy social media post, addressing all the fans for the first time.
“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,” she went om to say.
While the semi-finals showdown between her and Pegula might have gone other way, Eala is already pleased with how she fully represented her country despite entering the event as a wildcard.
Before leaving the arena, the tennis sensation was seen gracefully thanking the fans in attendance, which was praised by sportscasters as it is a gesture rarely seen from a losing player.
“Moreover, I’m thankful for all the positivity coming my way, and I pray that you all continue sending support through the highs and lows. Salamat sa lahat ng pagdadasal at magagandang mensahe,” she said.
Gears Up, Dream On
Eala is now ready to take on the tougher challenge, having gained all of the necessary experience. Not to mention her rough start, with early exits after early exits at the beginning of 2025.
The tennis player has also surpassed the 100-rank threshold, rising to 75th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. The pressure to perform better, or at least maintain what she started this year, will undoubtedly rise.
Eala’s entry into the Top 100 is the first for a Filipina and guarantees her a spot in the main draws of Grand Slam tournaments such as the US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open.
“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. The real work starts now,” she said.
Starting the year with no expectations and only realistic goals, it is clear that Eala will have a rigorous road in her upcoming competitions following the big leap. One thing is certain: she was born to beat the odds.
