Alexandra “Alex” Maniego Eala is a name that’s become synonymous with Filipino tennis greatness. Born in Quezon City, Philippines, on May 23, 2005, she has already carved a place in history as one of the country’s brightest sporting stars. From winning junior Grand Slam titles to making waves in big WTA tournaments, her journey is nothing short of inspirational.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into her biography — covering her early life, family background, her meteoric rise in junior tennis, her transition to pro, her major career highlights, and why she matters not just in the Philippines, but in the global tennis world.

Data

• Full Name: Alexandra Maniego Eala
• Stage Name / Nickname: Alex Eala
• Born: May 23, 2005
• Age: 20 (as of 2025)
• Death: — (still living)
• Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines
• Nationality: Filipino
• Occupation: Professional Tennis Player
• Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
• Parents: Mike Eala (father) and Rosemarie “Rizza” Maniego-Eala (mother)
• Siblings: Michael “Miko” Eala (brother)
• Net Worth: Approximately US$ 2.84 million (some estimates)

Early Life & Background

Alex Eala was born to a very athletic and supportive family. Her mother, Rosemarie “Rizza” Maniego-Eala, was a competitive swimmer who represented the Philippines and won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games. Her father, Mike Eala, has been a steadfast supporter of her tennis dreams. Her brother, Michael “Miko” Eala, is also a tennis player and played for the Pennsylvania State University team.

Growing up in a sports-oriented family, Alex picked up a tennis racket very early — she started playing at age four. Her talent became evident quickly: by age 12 she was already winning major junior tournaments.

Education and Training

Alex attended Immaculate Conception Academy in San Juan and later Colegio San Agustin in Makati. But a major turning point in her development was when she moved to Spain to train full-time. She joined the Rafael Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca, and graduated from there in 2023. At the Academy, she received world-class training and a disciplined environment, helping hone both her physical skills and mental toughness.

Junior Career Highlights

• In 2018, she won the prestigious Les Petits As tournament at just 12 years old — a major early signal of her potential.
• In 2019, she made her junior Grand Slam debut at the U.S. Open.
• In 2020, she won the Australian Open girls’ doubles title alongside Priska Madelyn Nugroho.
• Also in 2020, she reached the semifinals of the French Open singles juniors, which helped her reach an ITF junior combined ranking of No. 2.
• In 2021, she added another Grand Slam junior doubles title at the French Open, playing with Oksana Selekhmeteva.
• She also won the Trofeo Bonfiglio in Milan in 2021, both in singles and doubles.
• By 2022, she capped her junior career by winning the US Open girls’ singles title — making her the first Filipino to ever win a junior Grand Slam singles event.

Professional Career

Turning Pro

Alex turned professional on March 4, 2020. Her senior career began in the ITF Circuit.

• Her first professional match came at a W15 tournament in Monastir, Tunisia, where she won her opening match.
• In January 2021, she won her first ITF title (W15 Manacor) in Spain, becoming one of the youngest champions.
• Over the next couple of years, she climbed the ranks, played in qualifiers for WTA events (for instance, Miami), and made her presence known in both singles and doubles.

Breakthrough in 2025

The year 2025 has been transformational for Alex Eala.

• She made waves at the Miami Open (a WTA 1000-level event) after getting a wildcard.
• In that tournament, she pulled off several major upsets: she beat Jeļena Ostapenko, Madison Keys (a former Grand Slam champion), and Iga Świątek, another top player.
• Her run ended in the semifinals, but just getting that far was historic — she became the first Filipino to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.
• She broke into the top 100 of the WTA rankings as a result, climbing to ~No. 75 by March 31, 2025.
• At the 2025 U.S. Open, she made Grand Slam history again — she became the first Filipino (in the Open Era) to win a main-draw Grand Slam match, defeating 14th seed Clara Tauson in a dramatic comeback.
• She won her first WTA 125-level title later in 2025 (Guadalajara 125 Open), adding a major pro trophy to her achievements.
• In another milestone, she reached her first WTA final at the Eastbourne Open in England, making her the first Filipina ever to reach a WTA singles final.
• Her ranking soared: at her peak (as of November 3, 2025), she reached No. 50 in WTA singles, making her the highest-ranked Filipino in WTA Tour history.

Playing Style & Strengths

Alex Eala is a left-handed player with a two-handed backhand. Her preferred surface is hard court, which suits her aggressive baseline style.

She combines strong groundstrokes with good court coverage, and her mental composure has become a hallmark: in high-pressure matches, she often stays calm, which has helped her pull off some of her biggest wins.

Personal Traits & Interests

• She graduated from the Rafael Nadal Academy, a testament to her commitment to both education and sport.
• Off-court, she enjoys Spanish music, watching comedy and horror films, and indulging in ice cream, rice, and milk tea.
• Her support network is strong: her family played a big role in her tennis journey, giving her both emotional and practical backing.

Impact & Legacy

Alex Eala’s story is more than just an individual athlete’s success — she represents a new era for Philippine tennis. Her achievements are historic:

• First Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title.
• First Filipino to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.
• First Filipino to win a main-draw Grand Slam match in the Open Era.
• First Filipina to reach a WTA singles final.

Her rise has inspired young athletes in the Philippines and beyond. By training at world-class facilities and competing at the highest levels, she’s opened doors and shown what’s possible for future generations.

Challenges & Future Outlook

Like any elite athlete, Alex faces big challenges:

1. Consistency at the top level — breaking into the top 50 is huge, but staying there and making deeper runs in Grand Slams is the next step.
2. Physical demands — more tournaments, more pressure, more travel means she must manage her body well.
3. Mental resilience — with more spotlight comes greater expectations.

But her trajectory suggests she’s well-prepared. With top coaching (her coach is Joan Bosch), a solid support system, and major wins already under her belt, the future looks bright.

FAQs

Q: When was Alex Eala born?

A: May 23, 2005.

Q: Where is she from?

A: Quezon City, Philippines.

Q: When did she turn professional?

A: She turned pro on March 4, 2020.

Q: What is her highest WTA singles ranking?

A: As of November 3, 2025, her career-high is No. 50.

Q: What major junior titles has she won?

A: She won the girls’ singles title at the 2022 US Open and doubles titles at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.

Q: Has she won a WTA title?

A: Yes — her first pro-level title came at the Guadalajara 125 Open in 2025.

Q: Who is her coach?

A: Her coach is Joan Bosch.

Q: What is her playing style?

A: She plays left-handed, with a two-handed backhand, and prefers hard courts.

Conclusion

Alex Eala is more than just a talented young tennis player — she’s a trailblazer. Her drive, discipline, and raw talent have allowed her to break national records and change the landscape of Filipino tennis. At just 20 years old, she has already achieved monumental success: junior Grand Slam titles, a WTA final, a WTA 125 title, and a top-50 WTA ranking.

Her story is an inspiration not only to Filipino youth but to aspiring athletes everywhere. As she continues her journey on the professional tour, the world will undoubtedly be watching — and cheering her on. Her legacy is still being written, but one thing is clear: Alex Eala is a force to be reckoned with.