Alex Eala is First Filipina to break into Top 100, rises to world No. 73

Alex Eala’s journey from local courts to the global stage is a story of passion and perseverance

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Members of the sports and lifestyle media enjoyed the rare opportunity to share an hour with new national sports sensation, Alex Eala, in an online press conference held Tuesday, April 8. Arranged by Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the virtual press con was both a chance to more closely get to know the country’s new sports icon and to celebrate her major milestone in Philippine sports.

Nineteen-year-old tennis sensation Alex Eala achieved a new career-high singles ranking of World No. 73—the highest ever for a Filipina on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour—thanks to her exploits in reaching the semifinals of a WTA 1000 (1000-point Women’s Tennis Association) tournament.

This breakthrough was highlighted in a special virtual press conference organized in partnership with Globe.

During the virtual press conference, the Filipino athlete’s first for the local press, Alex humbly reflected on her latest achievement—an emotional moment that captured both the weight of her journey and the excitement for what lies ahead.

“It sounds amazing. At this level, every spot forward counts, so I’m super blessed to be in this position and I never expected it a month ago that I will be here right now,” said Alex of her new ranking.

“[I am] surprised but in a good way, motivated…just to be able to say that I’m in Top 100, [Top] 75. It’s very surreal. The work isn’t done and I have goals to look forward to and tournaments to look forward to,” Alex told the press from her training base in Mallorca, Spain.

BPI, a supporter of Eala since 2022, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Filipinos to pursue their dreams with passion and purpose.

“At BPI, we are deeply committed to empowering Filipinos to Do More. This is why we believe in supporting individuals like Alex, who exemplify the spirit of hard work and determination. Her story is not just one of success on the tennis court, but a testament to the power of perseverance, discipline, and the importance of a strong support system,” said Cathy Santamaria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer of BPI.  

Wielding a tennis as early as age four, then travelling to Spain to enroll and train at the Rafael Nadal Academy at the tender age of 13 (she graduated two years ago, at the age of 17, but continues to train there), Alex’s journey from local courts to the global stage is a story of grit, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

She patiently and persistently worked on her game, where her amazing Nadal-like consistency began to flourish. Her junior career was decorated with notable wins, including the Australian Open girls’ doubles title in 2020 and the French Open girls’ doubles title in 2021. In 2022, Alex made history by becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title, conquering the US Open with the world watching.

In March 2025, Alex had a phenomenal run at the Miami Open. Ranked No. 140 and entering as a wildcard, she stunned the tennis world with back-to-back victories over Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and world number 2 Iga Świątek to reach the semifinals. Her new Top 100 ranking means she no longer has to qualify or be invited as a wildcard to enter Grand Slams and other WTA 1000 tournaments.

From her Grand Slam wins in the juniors to her current success in the pro circuit, Eala has inspired a new generation of athletes and dreamers. Her story resonates with BPI’s mission to help Filipinos build a better tomorrow—not just through financial empowerment, but by backing young talent that bring pride to the nation. She is now deep in preparation for the upcoming clay court season, with successive tournaments in Estoril (Portugal), Madrid, and her first main draw in a Grand Slam at Roland Garros (French Open).

Photos from Alex Eala’s Instagram page