Alexandra Eala has been making waves on the WTA Tour since 2021, but she truly announced herself by pulling off two major upsets at the Miami Open. First, she stunned Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, and then took down Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 5, in the third round with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory. Eala’s success is built on her training at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, which she affectionately calls “home” after spending seven years there since enrolling at age 13. Now, she’s taking the world by storm! But while Eala highly credits her family for their support, it seems that tennis was in the family all along.

Alexandra’s tennis journey began at home, where she picked up a racquet at just four years old. Her grandfather, a club-level player, was her first coach and the one who sparked her passion for the sport. As she fondly recalls, “I got into tennis through my brother and my grandfather. It started out as a way for me to bond.” This family affair soon blossomed into a career that would take her to international heights. Not just for her!

Her older brother, Michael Francis Eala, affectionately known as Miko back home, also caught the tennis bug. He is a 23-year-old tennis player currently ranked No. 1475, having competed in tournaments like the M15 Monastir and M15 Tay Ninh. Although he hasn’t turned pro yet, he has been a constant source of support for his sister. He was present at the 2025 Australian Open to cheer her on as she took on Jana Fett in the qualifiers on January 7.

But it’s not just now that he’s present for his sister’s journey. Alexandra was too young to be sent to Mallorca, Spain, at age 13 to improve her prospects in the racquet sport. She wasn’t alone in her journey, “It came as a shock because I was young. I was 13 when we made that decision, and it was a big decision for us. I think one of the deal-breakers for my parents was that they sent my brother along with me, so I still had family close.”

Not just that but the Eala siblings have made their mark in the tennis world, particularly in the Philippines. Back in 2018, they both reached the finals of the ITF-AGS Junior Tennis Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. Alexandra defeated older opponents like Nur Hadiati Joleta Budiman and Janice Tjen, while Miko bested players such as Kenneth Legacy and Sohma Nakagomi. Although they didn’t win the championships, their performances were impressive, showcasing the potential of the Philippine team.

Today, Alexandra is shining brighter than ever, with historic wins at the Miami Open and a career-high ranking of No. 134. Meanwhile, Miko continues to pursue his tennis dreams. In the meantime, his sister can’t be grateful enough for the family’s support through it all!

Alexandra expresses her gratitude for her family’s support

On March 23, Alexandra Eala stunned the tennis world by defeating fifth seed Madison Keys with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory at the Miami Open. This historic win made her the first Filipino player to take down a top-10 opponent since the WTA rankings began in 1975. Overjoyed, Eala couldn’t wait to share the news with her family, exclaiming in her post-match interview, “I can’t wait to call my mom and dad. Nakuha natin, dad, mom” – a heartfelt expression of gratitude that speaks volumes about her family’s impact on her career.

Following the match, when the Tennis Channel asked about her inspiration, she didn’t hesitate: “My family. It’s just that they’ve been there since day one and they are really the ones, they’ve been my rock and they’ve been the constant in all this chaos of a tennis career, you know? So, I love them so much and they inspire me every day.” This family bond has been her driving force, especially during her formative years at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy. With her momentum building and not a single set dropped in Miami, Eala is now gearing up to face Spain’s 10th seed Paula Badosa.

As she prepares for her next challenge, her confidence is soaring. Ranked 140th globally, she has already beaten two Grand Slam champions in Miami. Will she keep up the momentum? Share your thoughts in the comments below!