Introduction
At just 20 years old, Alexandra “Alex” Eala is rapidly emerging as a global tennis sensation. From her promising beginnings in Quezon City, Philippines, to smashing records on the WTA Tour, there’s much to admire about her journey. This in-depth article delves into her height, family background, historic US Open 2025 breakthrough, and what lies ahead: her next match at Flushing Meadows.
1. Height: The Physical Edge
According to her official Wikipedia profile, Alexandra Eala stands 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall.
This stature gives her an excellent reach and leverage—especially advantageous for her aggressive, baseline-oriented game and powerful two-handed backhand. She wields these physical tools to dominate rallies and outmaneuver opponents under pressure.
2. Parents: The Foundation of Her Success
Alex’s family has played a pivotal role in shaping her career:
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Mother – Rosemarie “Rizza” Maniego-Eala: A former national swimmer who clinched a bronze medal at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games (100 m backstroke). She later became a chief financial officer at Globe Telecom, earning recognition for her leadership.
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Father – Mike (Michael) Eala: A supportive figure and entrepreneur who has been instrumental in Alex’s tennis training and opportunities.
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Sibling – Michael “Miko” Eala: Her brother played collegiate tennis at Penn State University from 2020 to 2024.
Alex also hails from a notable sporting lineage—her uncle is Noli Eala, former Philippine Sports Commission chairperson and PBA commissioner. This tight-knit, sports-driven family instilled discipline, mental toughness, and ambition in her from a young age.
3. US Open 2025: A Historic Milestone
A defining moment arrived on August 24, 2025, when Alex Eala pulled off a jaw-dropping upset against world No. 14 seed Clara Tauson in the first round of the US Open. Trailing 1–5 in the final set, she staged an incredible comeback to win 6–3, 2–6, 7–6 (11–9).
This victory made her the first Filipino player to win a main-draw match at a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Emotions ran high as she celebrated amid cheers and tears, highlighting the pride she felt representing her country on such a monumental stage.
The story was widely covered by international media:
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Reuters called it “major first for Philippines”.
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SportsKeeda, Times of India, and other outlets hailed the historic breakthrough for Southeast Asia.
4. Next Match: What’s Up Ahead?
Following her dramatic win, Alex is set to face either Cristina Bucsa (Spain) or Claire Liu (USA, qualifier) in the second round.
Alex captured this in her own words:
“I think the key for my upcoming match is just to come in with the same mentality, same fight… right now I’m just focused on recovering. That was a very tough match, but I think this will help long-term.”
Her mental grit after such a physically and emotionally draining first round bodes well for the challenge ahead. Alexandra Eala US Open 2025.
5. Career Trajectory: From Juniors to Top 100
Alex has not reached this point overnight. Here’s a timeline of her key milestones:
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Junior Career:
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2020 Australian Open girls’ doubles champion
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2021 French Open girls’ doubles champion
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2022 US Open girls’ singles champion—her first junior Grand Slam singles title.
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Professional Breakthroughs:
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In March 2025 at the Miami Open, Alex stunned multiple big names:
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Defeated world No. 25 Jeļena Ostapenko
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Beat top-10 Madison Keys
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Overcame world No. 2 Iga Świątek to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event, becoming the first Filipina to achieve this feat.
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In June 2025, she made history again by reaching the WTA Tour final at the Eastbourne Open. Although she fell short in a tightly contested final, she became the first Filipino—and first Southeast Asian since 2010—to reach a WTA singles final.
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Rankings:
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Achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 56 as of June 30, 2025.
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Current ranking (as of August 25, 2025): No. 75.
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These accomplishments show she’s no flash in the pan—but consistently rising through power, poise, and persistence. Alexandra Eala US Open 2025.
6. Why Her Story Resonates
Alexandra Eala’s journey isn’t just tennis—it’s a narrative of national pride and representation:
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She’s consistently made historic firsts for her country and region: first Filipino junior Grand Slam champion, first in a WTA 1000 semi, first in a WTA final, and first in a main-draw Grand Slam win.
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Her milestones have sparked excitement not just in the Philippines but across Southeast Asia, inspiring a new generation of players.
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Her resilience—clawing back from 1–5 down against Tauson—is emblematic of her tenacity, which fans and commentators have spotlighted. Alexandra Eala US Open 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How tall is Alexandra Eala?
A: She stands 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall.
Q2: Who are Alexandra Eala’s parents?
A: Her mother is Rosemarie “Rizza” Maniego-Eala, former SEA Games swimmer and CFO of Globe Telecom; her father is Mike (Michael) Eala, a strong supporter and facilitator of her tennis journey.
Q3: What was her significant accomplishment at the 2025 US Open?
A: She upset No. 14 seed Clara Tauson in the first round, coming back from 1–5 in the final set to win 6–3, 2–6, 7–6 (11–9). This made her the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main-draw match in the Open Era.
Q4: Who will she face next at the US Open?
A: In the second round, she will face Cristina Bucsa (Spain) or Claire Liu, an American qualifier.
Q5: What are some of her career highs outside the US Open?
A:
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Miami Open 2025: Reached a WTA 1000 semifinal, defeating top players like Ostapenko, Keys, and Świątek.
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Eastbourne Open 2025: Reached her first WTA singles final, becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian (since 2010) to do so.
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Rankings: Career-high WTA singles rank No. 56 (June 30, 2025); currently at No. 75 (August 25, 2025).
Conclusion
Alexandra Eala is not just a rising star—she’s rewriting the record books for Filipino and Southeast Asian tennis. Standing tall at 5 ft 9 in, she’s backed by a sports-driven family, and her US Open 2025 victory is only the latest in a string of historic achievements. Now, with eyes on the second round, the tennis world—and the Filipino diaspora—eagerly await her next move.
