Alexandra Eala's career goal is to win a Grand Slam and reach the world No. 1 ranking, but the 20-year-old highlights that she is taking everything "step by step" and does not want to rush the process.
Eala, who won the 2022 US Open girls' singles title and trained at Rafael Nadal's academy, drew major attention to herself in the spring when she reached the Miami Open semifinal as a wildcard. In Miami, the rising Filipina star beat three Grand Slam champions - Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek - as well had a win over Paula Badosa before losing to Jessica Pegula.
By making the Miami semifinal, Eala also wrote tennis history in the process, becoming the first Filipina to enter the top-100. Today, she is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 53 in the world. The 20-year-old wrote more history in June when she became the first Filipina to reach a WTA final - she lost to Maya Joint in the Eastbourne title match.
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The obvious answer, which has always kind of been my answer, was to win Slams and to be world No. 1. I think those are kind of everybody's dream and I'm someone who's quite ambitious. But I think I tried to take it a step at a time especially because I really feel the growth was relatively quick, so I try to take it step by step and not think about kind of a career goal," the Filipina told the Olympics website.
Eala: I'll be the best Alex in 2026, but maybe 2027 will be even better
In the same interview, Eala claimed that she noticed more people becoming interested in tennis in her native country and across Southeast Asia. And while she hopes to achieve some great things and draw even more attention to tennis in the Philippines, she isn't putting a clock on herself to accomplish her goals.
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But that's not to say that (2026 is) going to be my peak. Because this is the best I can be now, but maybe I can be even better in the future. So maybe 2026, I'll be the best Alex I can be then, but maybe 2027 will be even better. You never know, I don't know - but yes," the 20-year-old added.
This week, Eala is competing at the WTA 250 tournament in Hong Kong, where she meets Katie Boulter in the first round.
