Alex Eala has long been hailed as the future of Philippine tennis — a prodigy carrying the hopes of a nation yearning for a breakthrough on the global stage.
Now, at only 20, she is beginning to fulfill the prophecy that has followed her since she first picked up a racket.
After starting the year as the 130th-ranked player on the WTA, Eala has risen 80 spots higher to become the first Filipina tennis player to reach top 50 — with a 40-26 win-loss record in 2025.
Her year was filled with moments that showed how much she has matured — not just in skill, but in composure. Whether it was rallying from a set down or keeping her nerve in long tiebreaks, she