Alex Eala’s dazzling run at the Miami Open not only caught the eye of tennis fans worldwide but also earned glowing recognition from one of the sport’s most respected mentors—Toni Nadal. The seasoned coach, known for guiding his nephew Rafael Nadal to 22 Grand Slam titles, praised Eala’s on-court grit and off-court demeanor, highlighting her as a player with the right mix of talent and temperament.
Eala, a rising star from the Philippines, had already made waves in the junior circuit when she captured the US Open Girls’ singles crown in 2022, a title that included a notable victory over now-world No. 6 Mirra Andreeva. But her Miami breakthrough was the moment she truly announced her arrival on the senior stage. Granted a wildcard into the WTA 1000 event, the 19-year-old didn’t just participate—she made headlines.
Kicking off her campaign with flair, Eala toppled 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in round two. She followed that up with a statement win against reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, dispatching the big-hitter in straight sets. A walkover from Paula Badosa in the fourth round allowed Eala extra rest, which she capitalized on with another jaw-dropping performance—this time defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
Onlookers were stunned, and among them in the players’ box was Toni Nadal himself. Flying in to witness her firsthand, the legendary coach stood by the former Rafa Nadal Academy student, who graduated from the prestigious program just last year.
Though Eala’s fairytale run came to a halt in the semi-finals against Jessica Pegula, her meteoric rise was already cemented. A jump from WTA ranking No. 140 to No. 75 is on the cards—a massive leap into tennis’ upper echelons.
Nadal, who has seen her development up close during her years at the academy, didn’t hold back in his praise. “For the academy and for me in particular, it’s a huge success,” he said. “She’s the girl who’s been with us the longest. In all this time, there’s never been a single complaint from anyone, neither from her nor from her family.”
He emphasized how rare it is to witness such rapid progress and composure at the elite level. “She’s shown she has great potential because it’s not easy to beat the world’s No 2 and No 5 in the same tournament. Once she gets her game right, she could be among the best in the world.”
Analyzing her game, Nadal pointed out one of the few moments of vulnerability she showed during the match against Swiatek. “She stood up to Swiatek and didn’t back down. Only at one point, at 2-0 in the second set, was she a little hesitant and needed to be more aggressive with her serve.”
Unfortunately, the high-octane campaign came at a physical cost. Eala has pulled out of her scheduled appearance at the WTA 125K La Bisbal tournament in Madrid, nursing a left-thigh injury sustained during her deep run in Florida. While her exact return to the court remains uncertain, it’s widely expected that she’ll be granted a wildcard into the prestigious Madrid Open, set to begin on April 21.
As she recovers and regroups, the tennis world will be watching closely. With her fearless shot-making, mental fortitude, and a mentor like Toni Nadal in her corner, Alex Eala’s ascent seems not just inevitable—but unstoppable.