When Alex Eala steps onto the tennis court, trust that the whole world will stop to watch her shine. She has risen to prominence in the competitive realm of sports as a trailblazer—an unstoppable force who brings sheer pride to the country with every tournament she conquers. And for her fellow young athletes back at home, she’s every bit of the inspiration they need to chase their dreams.
Photo: Alex Eala/Instagram
Over the past few weeks, we’ve gotten to know Alex through her remarkable arsenal of athletic achievements. From her game-changing runs at Wimbledon and the Canadian Open to her historic win at the Mubadala DC Open, our cheers for Alex have grown loud and proud enough to be heard from continents away. And we certainly didn’t hesitate to get that point across upon welcoming her back to the Philippines last month.
But what exactly was Alex’s life like before all her recent global acclaim?
Countless sacrifices, hardships, and learning curves have become the backbone of the 21-year-old Filipina prodigy’s tennis journey, from her vibrant childhood to her latest international feats. Like all of our favorite local athletes, she has sparked hope among future generations who strive to keep the country’s sports industry alive, thriving, and more visible than ever.
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Similarly, the wise words, motivational quotes, and mantras we’ve learned from Alex after every tournament only scratch the surface of her breakthroughs as an athlete. They wouldn’t have been possible without the countless life lessons she has embodied ever since she first picked up a racket.
That’s why we’re shining the spotlight on these pivotal facts about Alex and her athletic prowess. Here’s what you should know about the tennis icon, just in time for her upcoming matches:
Perseverance Runs in the Family
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Alex and tennis go way back. She may not have known from the jump that she was destined for greatness in the sport, but her family of decorated athletes always has. She grew up sharpening her skills on the court alongside:
- Her grandfather, Roberto “Bobby” Maniego, who was also her first tennis coach,
- Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, who won bronze in swimming at the 1985 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and
- Her older brother Miko, who helped her grow as a professional player while he was active on Penn State University’s varsity tennis team.
Alex started playing tennis at the tender age of four. Since then, she has been in the presence of world-class competitors and mentors, proving that no dream is too daunting with a nurturing support system by her side.
Alex’s Earlier International Wins
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Every exceptional athlete starts somewhere. For Alex, this meant stepping out of her shell, travelling the world, and earning her stripes through junior global matches.
In 2013, at just eight years old, Alex became a standout player at the Little Mo International Tennis Grand Slam Championship in Florida. She won every match in her age group and went home with a coveted six-foot-tall trophy. Miko also held his own, clinching runner-up in his own category.
At 12, Alex went on to win the Les Petits As under-14 tournament in France. She bested some of the top-seeded young athletes in Europe before honing her skills further.
Learning and Training Alongside the Cream of the Crop
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Several major tennis leagues saw great potential in Alex in the following years. One of these is the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, where she trained as a scholar at 13. Alex’s fruitful days as a student-athlete introduced a wide variety of opportunities for her emerging career, including Junior Grand Slam titles that became stepping stones towards her professional endeavors.
“Every time I come back to the academy, I experience it in a different light,” she shared on Instagram. “I’ve grown and experienced a little bit more [since my last visit], but I think the relationship I have with my team and coaches brings me back to where I came from.”
Sharing the Court With the World’s Top Players
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Besides her back-to-back wins, Alex has had the honor of playing with and against some of the world’s most accomplished and top-ranked tennis stars. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Venus Williams, one of Alex’s partners in women’s doubles,
- Jessica Pegula, ranked world number three, whom Alex defeated in the Mubadala DC Open final,
- Madison Keys, world number five and Australian Open champion, and
- Iga Świątek, who won the 2025 Wimbledon women’s singles tournament.
After a whirlwind of firsts and new career highs, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) now recognizes Alex as world number 20 in its rankings. As she continues to raise our flag on the court, we reckon she’ll soar even higher in no time.
ALSO READ: Serving Courtesy: Basic Tennis Etiquette Every Fan Should Know
We’re always rooting for you, Alex! Who are your favorite Filipino athletes? Show them some love in the comments below!
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