Alexandra Eala Shines on the Big Stage with Grand Slam Debut and Doubles Breakthrough
Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala continues to carve her path in professional tennis, and her latest feats signal a major turning point in her young career. Fresh off a breakout singles run in Miami and a doubles partnership with none other than world No. 2 Coco Gauff in Rome, Eala’s momentum culminated in her Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros—an achievement that cements her arrival on the world stage.
At the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, Eala showed that her ambitions go beyond solo success. Despite a frustrating early singles exit against Marta Kostyuk, the Quezon City native found a silver lining in the doubles draw. Rather than taking the week off, she boldly reached out to Gauff—through a direct message on Instagram—to propose teaming up. Eala, who holds a junior Grand Slam doubles title, recognized the potential of joining forces with one of the tour’s most dynamic players.
“I took a chance!” Eala shared with a smile. “I figured we’re close in age and she seemed to be in high spirits after doing well in Madrid. I just thought, why not ask?”
To her surprise and delight, Gauff agreed. The result was an exciting new duo that turned heads in Rome. Though they had only met a few months earlier at the Miami Open, where Eala surged into her first WTA 1000 semifinal, the two clicked instantly on and off the court. “She’s chill and works hard,” Gauff said of Eala. “I didn’t feel the need to give her advice. She’s already doing the right things.”
Their chemistry was evident as they powered through two matches in straight sets before falling to the eventual champions, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini. Despite the loss, the pairing was a valuable and invigorating experience for Eala, providing a more relaxed competitive setting and a chance to learn from one of the game’s best.
The duo may not have settled on a team name just yet—rejecting fan-suggested monikers like “Coachella”—but their partnership showcased Eala’s versatility and fearlessness.
Now, with her first Grand Slam main draw appearance at Roland Garros, Eala has truly stepped onto tennis’s biggest stage. From storming through Miami to sharing the spotlight with Coco Gauff in Rome, her rise is as inspiring as it is rapid. The tennis world is watching, and Alexandra Eala is proving she belongs.