Filipina tennis phenom and longtime Globe ambassador Alex Eala once again put the Philippines on the global sports map with a jaw-dropping performance at the Miami Open—proving she’s a force to be reckoned with.
At just 19 years old, the world no. 140 wildcard stunned the tennis world by defeating three Grand Slam champions—including world no. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, world no. 5 Madison Keys, and world no. 2 Iga Swiatek—before her incredible run ended in the semifinals against American star Jessica Pegula on Friday.
While she fell just short of a finals berth, Eala’s fearless play and powerful comeback in the second set earned her a standing ovation and widespread admiration from fans and players alike.
With this breakthrough performance, Alex becomes the first Filipina to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal and the first in the Open Era to defeat top-10 ranked players in the same tournament. She is now poised to achieve a career-high WTA ranking of No. 75, making her the first Filipina in history to break into the world’s top 100.
“Alex has once again shown the heart and fighting spirit of the Filipino,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. “Her journey at the Miami Open is a powerful reminder of what passion and perseverance can achieve. We’re proud to support her every step of the way.”
Eala has been a Globe ambassador since the age of 8 and continues to break barriers for Philippine tennis. Her inspiring performance in Miami cements her status as one of the sport’s rising stars—and a true role model for young Filipino athletes everywhere.
As she climbs the global ranks, Globe reaffirms its unwavering support for Alex’s journey on the world stage.
