Alexandra Eala, a Philippines wildcard, delivered one of the biggest upsets of the year by defeating World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets (6-2, 7-5) at the Miami Open. This incredible victory marks the third time in the tournament that the 19-year-old has taken down a Grand Slam champion, having previously eliminated Madison Keys (Australian Open winner) and Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open champion).
The legendary Rafael Nadal took to social media to celebrate Eala’s achievement, expressing his pride and admiration for the young talent, who trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, was present in the stands, witnessing the historic win. “We are extremely proud of you, Alex. What an incredible tournament! Let’s keep dreaming!” wrote Nadal on X (formerly Twitter).
The Rafa Nadal Academy has actively followed Eala’s progress throughout the tournament, frequently sharing updates and cheering for her performances.
Eala’s Unforgettable Performance
Despite facing one of her idols, the young Filipina tennis star showed immense composure and confidence, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level. The only moment where she appeared overwhelmed was after securing the final point, where she seemed momentarily stunned before approaching Swiatek at the net.
Speaking after the match, Eala said, “I don’t know what to say, I mean, complete just disbelief right now and I am on cloud nine. This moment is forever in my heart.”
What’s Next for Eala?
Eala is now set to face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who secured her place in the next round after defeating 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Ranked 140th in the world, Eala has already made history by becoming the third wildcard to reach the Miami Open semifinals, following in the footsteps of Justine Henin (2010) and Victoria Azarenka (2018).
Her dream run in Miami has not only elevated her career but also placed the Philippines on the global tennis map.
