“Nobody Was Friendly With Me” – 24YO WTA Star Gets Candid About Her Journey While Backing Rising Star Alexandra Eala
Hailing from a small Philippine town, Alexandra Eala spent seven years training hard at the Rafa Nadal Academy. That dedication paid off. She made her pro debut in 2023 and soared into the top 200 within a year. As a wildcard at the Miami Open, the nineteen-year-old shocked the tennis world. She ousted Madison Keys and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek to reach the semifinals. The feat captivated everyone watching. Reflecting on her run, Eala wrote, “I’m proud of myself for pushing through those tough moments, as well as to have been able to make a statement for the Philippines in one of the biggest stages of tennis.” Among those impressed, Bianca Andreescu stands out.
Speaking in Madrid, Bianca shared how she feels watching Alexandra’s rise. “I met her in Thailand. I think it was two years ago. I remember watching her play, and I knew she was going to be good.” She could be referring to the W25 Chiang Rai in April 2022, where Alexandra won her first-round match, or the 2023 Thailand Open, where Eala qualified for the main draw but lost in the first round. Bianca called Eala a “good person” and saw something she herself once longed for.
The 24-year-old Canadian knows hardships all too well. She recently returned from an emergency appendectomy that delayed her 2025 season. She had hoped to start at the Mérida Open in Mexico but had to recover instead. Before that, she’d been off the tour since October 2024. She finally returned this week at the Madrid Open, winning her first match since October, beating McCartney Kessler in straight sets (6-2, 6-4). Ups and downs are nothing new for Bianca, but now she’s channeling her energy into helping others.
