Did Alex Eala have a great 2025 season?

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has become one of the most popular Filipino sportspeople due to the recent rise in her young career.

From a rising star known only by passionate tennis fans to becoming one of the most popular players in the WTA tour, Eala’s 2025 season has certainly jump-started her career to new heights.

But within the tennis court, was Eala’s season really successful? Let’s find out:

Miami Miracle

Starting the season, Eala was ranked 143rd in the WTA rankings and looked to open the season on a monumental high by competing in the Australian Open, but was immediately ousted in the first round of qualifying. 

The Filipina went on a string of sour results in the Singapore Open and a couple of W100 tournaments until she got the biggest break of her young career. In March, Eala would enter the Miami Open as a wildcard, with no expectations of advancing far in the tournament.

She would make her mark immediately after defeating WTA contenders Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys in succession, both in straight sets. The wins propelled Eala to underdog status, but she will soon continue her hot run and solidify herself as a rising star.

After advancing in the final round, Eala would face the toughest test of her young career so far, facing one of the best in the world in Iga Świątek. Nobody predicted that Eala, who had no WTA 125 tournament titles at that point, would be able to take down the No. 2-ranked player in the world. Yet, Eala, with the whole Philippines and the world watching, demonstrated her talent and potential to defeat Świątek in straight sets.

She made history as the first Filipino to reach a WTA 100 semifinal and defeat a Grand Slam champion in a tour-level event during the Open Era, while also becoming the first wildcard to defeat three Grand Slam champions in straight sets in a single tournament.

She would eventually lose to Jessica Pegula in the semis, but she had already stamped herself as a Filipino hero and one of tennis’ brightest young stars. After Miami, Eala would crack the top 100 after being ranked No. 75 for her historic run.

Rise in the rankings

Eala would continue to rise through the rankings, achieving great results in the next tournaments. She would lose a rematch with Świątek in the Madrid Open, but would be back better than ever in the Italian Open, this time in the doubles category. She partnered with fellow rising star Coco Gauff, and they would reach the quarterfinals.

She would fail to capture her Miami Open run in the French Open but would reach the latter stages of several WTA 125 tournaments after the event. Eala faced Maya Joint in her first WTA final at the Eastbourne Open but would not yet capture her first title. The losses did not come unnoticed, though, as she would garner her highest rank yet after climbing to No. 56 in the rankings.

Her electric rise in the rankings earned her a spot at tennis’ most prestigious event, the Wimbledon Open, where she would exit in the first round of the singles and doubles brackets. An early exit at the Canadian Open would follow, until she would try her luck again in another Grand Slam.

In the US Open, Eala would again stun the world after defeating Clara Tauson in the first round to become the first Filipino to win in a major tournament in the Open Era. She would lose in the next round, but as we’ve noticed, the wins speak louder than the losses for the burgeoning superstar.

First WTA title

After multiple failed attempts at a WTA crown, Eala would capture her first in the Guadalajara Open after toppling Panna Udvardy in the final, adding to history once again as the first Filipino to capture a WTA 125 title. 

After achieving the feat, Eala would go on a rather down run to end the season. Starting with the São Paulo Open, where she would lose to Janice Tjen in the quarterfinals, then again in the Jingshan Open, this time in the semis to eventual champion Lulu Sun. It seemed that after a historic season, Eala would suffer from fatigue and minor setbacks as she would also fall in the quarterfinals of the Suzhou Open. 

Early exits in the Wuhan Open and Guangzhou Open would make way for her final tournament of the season, the Hong Kong Open. Unfortunately for Eala, she would end her season falling to Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinals.

Despite a rough string of results, Eala would end her sensational season in her highest rank yet at No. 50.

Despite her WTA season already finished, the Filipina still plans on representing her country in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asia (SEA) Games. 

‘I NEVER WOULD’VE THOUGHT I’D GET YEAR END TOP 50’ 👏

Rising tennis star na si Alex Eala, nag-react sa kanyang new career high placement sa WTA rankings. pic.twitter.com/Upqez9Gujt

— Pilipino Star Ngayon Digital (@psngayondigital) November 12, 2025

Verdict

Despite her recent early exits, Eala’s 2025 season was undoubtedly a success. Her run at the Miami Open alone could have made the season already a success, but her win at the Guadalajara Open solidifies a historic season even further. 

At 20 years old, Eala’s future is seen as one of the brightest in tennis today. Training at the Rafa Nadal Academy and advised by proven international coaches, she certainly has the tools to contend at the top of the WTA tour in the future. It will be a matter of how she learns from the highs and lows of this season that will determine the trajectory of her career.

One thing’s for certain, though. Eala’s 2025 deserves a place in the greatest years a Filipino athlete has ever produced.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate basketball fans.