In an astonishing turn of events at the Miami Open, 19-year-old wildcard Alexandra Eala has made headlines by reaching the semifinals, a run nobody anticipated. This week has marked a significant highlight in her budding career, captivating the attention of none other than Rafael Nadal.
On Wednesday, Eala delivered her most stunning performance, facing the No. 2 seed, Iga Swiatek. Entering this quarterfinal match as a considerable underdog, Eala – ranked No. 140 in the world – triumphed decisively, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, over the five-time grand slam champion.
Post-match, Nadal took to Instagram to express his excitement, writing, “Let’s keep dreaming!” It’s heartwarming to witness Nadal supporting his young protégé, given Eala’s background at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she trained throughout her youth. A wonderful photo taken during her summer 2023 graduation further illustrates their bond, as it features both Nadal and Swiatek alongside her.
Eala’s impressive journey at the Open comes with support from Nadal’s team. Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and long-time coach, was in her coaching box as she executed a remarkable upset. Swiatek, a dominant figure on the WTA Tour, is known for her consistency in tournaments and had gone without defeat against outside top-100 players since 2021, a streak ultimately broken by Eala.
What made Eala’s win even more formidable was coming back from trailing in the second set as Swiatek served at 5-4, showcasing Eala’s tenacity and skill.
This week’s achievement establishes several milestones for Filipinas in tennis. Eala is now the first woman from her country to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament, first to defeat a top-10 player, and first to conquer a former grand slam champion. In her path, she triumphed over not just Swiatek but also other former grand slam champions, including Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys.
Beginning the week ranked No. 140, Eala faced challenges merely qualifying for significant events, which made her wildcard entry all the more crucial. Now poised to advance substantially in the rankings, should she lose in the semifinals, she will secure the No. 75 position—guaranteeing entry into several high-profile tournaments. If she reaches the final, she could rise to No. 51 and even to No. 34 if she clinches the title. Her upcoming match will determine who she faces next, either Emma Raducanu or fourth seed Jessica Pegula.
