If tennis broadcasters were expecting emotional tears from teenage Alexandra Eala after she pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the WTA season, they were left disappointed. However, the final point—when she broke world number two Iga Swiatek’s serve for the eighth time—showed far more about the Filipina than any tears could have.
Eala’s face trembled, on the verge of tears, as she began to grasp the significance of her victory that sent her to the semi-finals of the Miami Open. However, she managed to keep her emotions under control, composed herself, and celebrated calmly before carrying out her post-match responsibilities with focus.
“I think I was so in the moment, and I made it a point to stay present during every point that it was hard to realize what had just happened. It’s hard to realize you won the match,” she said when asked about her initial feelings after defeating the five-time Grand Slam champion.
“I really tried to soak it all in because this has never happened to me before, and that’s why I was looking at the screen. I really wanted to keep that moment in my mind,” she added.
In the biggest match of her career on the WTA Tour, Eala played with a composure that defied her lack of experience, showcasing a remarkable level of preparation for such a defining moment.
“I may not have a lot of experience on the WTA Tour, that’s for sure, but I do have experience with compartmentalizing. I have experience with being professional,” she said.
“I have no hesitation in bringing that part of me out when I’m on court and in a setting that demands professionalism,” she added.
– Businesslike –
Eala has been in a professional environment since she was 13, when she left her home country to join Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca. For the past six years, she has lived and breathed tennis, working alongside top coaches and a group of players all aspiring to make their way onto the tour.
However, Eala says that her notably businesslike approach comes more from her family than from her daily routine in Spain.
“It’s not something I learned at the academy. It’s something I’ve gained from my experiences and the things I’ve gone through leading up to this moment. It’s also something my family has guided me through; it’s part of our family values,” she explained.
“My family members are successful in business and in their own fields, and they are people I look up to. I think they lead by example in that regard.”
The dual influences on her career were clear in her player box—her parents had flown in from the Philippines for the match, along with an uncle and cousin from Seattle. Joining them was Toni Nadal, the legendary Spanish coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal, who represented the academy.
“There was a lot of extra motivation for my match today. I really wanted my family to see me win, but I know they’d be happy just to see me compete at this level,” she said.
“And Toni also came to Miami. That meant a lot to me because I’ve been working closely with him for so long, alongside my main coaches from the academy. It shows the confidence and pride the academy has in me,” she added.
She also took a moment to reflect on an old photograph of her meeting Swiatek at a graduation event at the academy two years ago. Eala expressed her hope that her victory would inspire young people in her homeland to take up tennis.
Over the years, many teenagers have made dramatic entries into the elite ranks of the WTA—some have thrived, while others have faded quickly. However, few have done so with the self-assured professionalism of the 19-year-old from Quezon City.
