By Geoffrey Latayan
Alexandra “Alex” Eala has secured the first Grand Slam win of her women’s tennis career, teaming up with Renata Zarazua of Mexico in the women’s doubles competition of the 2025 French Open in Paris.
The 20-year-old lost her women’s singles match against Emiliana Arango of Colombia in three sets, but she and Zarazua booked a place in the second round after outclassing British competitor Emily Appleton and Spaniard Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 7-5, 6-4.
The pair will now face off against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic and Russia’s Anastasia Popova in the round of 32 on Friday.
Danilovic and Popova upset seventh-seeded Desirae Krawczyk and Caroline Dolehide of the United States in three sets, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.
First Grand Slam win ‘heartwarming’
Eala, who reached a career-high of World No. 69 in the women’s singles rankings following her surprise run at the Miami Open and constant activity in the elite Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) circuit, described her first Grand Slam victory in the women’s doubles as “heartwarming”.
“It’s always good to come back and compete well after a singles loss, especially after a tight one. I’m feeling good, it’s my debut in Grand Slam doubles so I’m feeling happy to be playing with Renata and to have my first Slam win,” she said.
Eala noted that the support from tennis fans at Roland Garros had been very ‘positive’ and added that they’re delighted to witness “a Filipino competing in the main draw in Paris”.
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The Filipina is no stranger in Grand Slam tournaments, having competed in similar competitions in the junior circuits.
She won the 2022 US Open girls’ singles title and took home the women’s doubles crowns in the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.
A championship win for Eala and Zarazua would be big for the pair, especially for the Filipina as it would show that she has come of age as a women’s singles tennis player.
Eala belongs to new generation of Filipino sports stars
Eala, who has trained at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, Spain, is part of the latest breed of Filipino sports stars that also include two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, motorsports sensation Bianca Bustamante, teenage chess star Ruelle Canino and footballer Sandro Reyes.
“I think we’re entering a new era for Filipino sport. Filipinos are very talented and very hard workers. There’s support, a community, because it’s not often you (have) seen Filipino athletes excel on the international stage, so every time someone does good we’re very happy for them,” she said.
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