Alexandra Eala has enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, having really put herself on the map as a leading sporting figure from her nation.
As a lesser-known country within the tennis world, this young, marketable superstar marks a real opportunity to help create a huge new fanbase in the Philippines, with the 20-year-old already subject to widespread interest.
So much so that, earlier this year, Alexandra Eala even had the pleasure of playing doubles with Coco Gauff in Rome.
Right before the American went on to win the Roland Garros singles title, she actually revealed why she had to keep apologising to her partner.
How Coco Gauff reacted to playing doubles with Alexandra Eala
Speaking to the press back in May, just months after Eala had broken through by reaching the Miami Open semi-finals, Gauff spoke about how much she was enjoying playing alongside the Filipina superstar.
She told reporters: “[Chemistry has been] great. She is super great and super fun. She plays really aggressive doubles, which is something that I like, and we will definitely need it today. I am really happy.
“I knew how she played on singles, but you never know how people are going to play in doubles, but I am very happy.”
However, Gauff did admit her own mistakes that she felt were holding them back as a doubles partnership. She said with a smile: “In our match yesterday she definitely got MVP for that. I was just kind of there, so I told her sometimes I forget how to play because sometimes it’s been a while.
“And I don’t know, it’s one of those things, they say you ride a bike and don’t forget how to play it. Doubles you definitely forget!
“Sometimes I told her I am like a deer on ice at the net, that’s what I feel like. Many times I have apologised to her, but she is quick and fast, so she is there to cover for me!”
Reviewing Alexandra Eala’s breakout 2025 season
There’s no denying that 2025 has been the best season of Eala’s career to date.
After all, she had never seen such a rapid rise up the rankings, massively boosted by that fairytale run in Miami.
There, she defeated Jeļena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Świątek before losing to Jessica Pegula, becoming the first Filipino to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final, defeat a major champion at tour level, and beat three major champions in straight sets as a wildcard at the same event.
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It was extraordinary, and she would back it up by reaching her first tour-level final at the WTA 250 in Eastbourne, losing to fellow newcomer Maya Joint.
In the end, Eala finished 2025 ranked 50th. This marked the highest singles ranking ever achieved by a player from the Philippines.
What’s most exciting about this young talent is that this is just the beginning.