Eala recalls her breakthrough in Miami: "That was what put me on the map"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 25 Feb 2026 | 18.00

Eala remembers her breakthrough in Miami: "That was what put me on the map." Photo: Gettyimages

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Alexandra Eala is already taking the step from promise to confirmation. After a very intense and emotional 2025, the Filipina seeks to establish herself on the circuit and try to compete for as many titles as possible. Currently, she is on the verge of the Top 30 (31st ranked) in the WTA rankings and has an 'army' of Filipino fans cheering her on.

Although she succumbed clearly to Coco Gauff (6-0, 6-2) in the quarterfinals of the 2026 WTA Dubai, Eala, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, is proving that she knows how to endure and maintain composure in challenging moments. Her latest example was in a second-round match in Abu Dhabi where she saved a match point against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Additionally, she has defeated high-level players like Jasmine Paolini in the Dubai tournament.

After concluding the Middle East tour, the Filipino is preparing for her first participation in Indian Wells and then returning to where it all began: the Miami Open. In the Florida tournament, Eala entered as world number 140 in the WTA rankings and thanks to a wildcard, she went directly into the main draw. She seized the opportunity.

First, with a win over Katie Volynets (6-3, 7-6(3)), followed by the first surprise victory against Jelena Ostapenko (7-6(2), 7-5); then falling to the Australian Open champion, Madison Keys (6-4, 6-2). She took advantage of the absence of Paula Badosa and in the quarterfinals made an impact on the circuit by defeating Iga Swiatek 6-2, 7-5.

Although she was defeated by Jessica Pegula (6-7(5), 7-5, 3-6) in the semifinals, her Miami experience fulfilled her dream, propelling her firmly into the top 100 as the world number 70. Nearly a year after her success, the Filipina reminisced about that journey on The Sit-Down podcast.

Alexandra Eala and the Miami Open 2025, where it all began

"I think everything after Miami was a new experience at that time, being among the top 100 for the first time, but I was very open-minded. I was eager to compete and be at this level. In the end, my dream is to be on the WTA circuit. I am living the dream," said the 20-year-old.

She has no doubt that those days in Miami have been the best of her career thus far, stating: "I feel like that Miami tournament is the highlight of my career so far. That's what put me on the map. Everything fell into place from then on. I remember that moment and think, 'Wow, it was crazy!' It's crazy to believe that it actually happened."

But Eala does not want to stop there, as she faces the challenging task of staying at the elite level. Nonetheless, she prefers to enjoy a moment she always dreamed of arriving: "It's very nice to know that I'm doing what I can for the sport because tennis has given me a lot," concluded Alexandra Eala, who is on the brink of returning to where she first gained recognition.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Eala recuerda su irrupción en Miami: "Eso fue lo que me puso en el mapa"