Alexandra Maniego Eala, also known as Alex Eala, is a 20‑year‑old left‑handed tennis prodigy from Quezon City, Philippines. As of June 23, 2025, she achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 69, making history as the first Filipino player to break into the WTA top 100. She’s also the first Filipina to reach a WTA Tour-level final.
👟 Early Life & Training
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Born May 23, 2005, Eala started playing tennis at age four.
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Junior champion: won the 2022 US Open girls’ singles.
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Trained at Rafa Nadal Academy since age 14.
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Mixed heritage athlete: her mother is former SEA Games swimmer Rizza Maniego‑Eala.
Follow Alex Eala on Instagram: @alex.eala.
🏅 Historic Run at Eastbourne Open 2025
At the Lexus Eastbourne Open held June 21–28, 2025 at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, UK, Eala made history during the women’s singles draw.
✅ Key Milestones:
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Defeated Varvara Gracheva 7‑5, 2‑6, 6‑3 in the semifinal—became the first Filipina to reach a WTA final.
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Set to face Maya Joint in what became the youngest final at Eastbourne since 1981.
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Expected to crack the Top 60 live rankings, potentially reaching No. 52 if she wins the title.
🌟 Maya Joint: Rising Australian Contender
Maya Joint (verify via WTA) is a 19‑year‑old Australian qualifier who reached her first grass‑court final in Eastbourne, upsetting Emma Raducanu and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. She claimed her first WTA title earlier this year on clay in Rabat.
📅 Eastbourne Tennis Schedule & Finals Preview
The Eastbourne Open at Devonshire Park is the final grass-court event before Wimbledon:
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Venue: Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, UK.
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Event type: Combined ATP 250 and WTA 250.
⏰ Women’s Singles Final:
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Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
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Time: 13:30 local (BST) on Centre Court
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Match-up: Alexandra Eala vs. Maya Joint
🗓 Rough Tournament Timeline:
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June 21–27: Early rounds & semifinals
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June 28: Women’s final at 13:30, followed by men’s final (approx. 15:00).
⚙️ What’s at Stake
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Eala seeks her first WTA title and further ascent in the WTA rankings—possibly breaking into the low 50s.
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Match presents the youngest combined‑age WTA final at Eastbourne since 1981, a sign of shifting generational strength.
🔮 Prediction & Context
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Eala’s blend of grass-court poise and momentum from Miami and Roland-Garros suggests she's primed for a breakthrough.
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Joint’s prior success and familiarity with WTA finals add balance to the contest—expected to be tightly contested.
🧾 Summary Table: Final Match Overview
| Match | Date | Time | Surface | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Final | 28 Jun 2025 | 13:30 BST | Grass | Centre Court, Eastbourne | Youngest WTA final since 1981; live BBC coverage |
🏆 Final Thoughts
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Alexandra Eala is an emerging star for the Philippines and global tennis—her Eastbourne run is historic.
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Maya Joint has shown grit and skill—ready to challenge for her second WTA title.
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The Eastbourne final marks a generational pivot, with two teenage players representing the future of women’s tennis.
Keep an eye on Centre Court 13:30 BST, June 28—this one has all the makings of a classic.
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