Hardships to history: What made Alex Eala rise as tennis’ newest giant-slaying sensation

Alex Eala, the new, beaming face of Philippine tennis, was never expected to beat the world’s best anytime soon, and yet, she did. Take a peek in the mind and heart of the Miami Open giant-killer as she builds up from her career-changing streak.

MANILA, Philippines – Quite so often in the world of sports, the “diamond in the rough” narrative comes to light, as unheralded players erupt from seemingly random corners of the world and captivate nations’ imaginations for stretches of time with their exceptional, unexpected play.

For a little over a week to cap off the month of March, Alex Eala shone as that sparkling new gem in ways even she didn’t know she could shine, as she held the tennis world in the palm of her hand and smashed it as hard as she could.

All household names of the sport, the trio would eventually find out that one fateful week of March that they would have more in common than just all being Grand Slam champions.

They would all fall in straight sets to Eala, a teenager wildcard entry then ranked 140th in the world with only two prior wins in a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) main draw.

For a little over a week, Eala — without exaggeration — played like the best in the world, and as fate would have it, beat the best in the world