Top-ranked Filipino tennis player, Alex Eala, grand slams PH tennis history.
After rapidly climbing ranks in the WTA and ITF junior ranking and winning titles on ITF World Tennis Tour, Eala continues to make history as she bagged the 2022 US Open Girls' Singles Champion title on September 10 at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. Eala, the No. 10 seed, triumphed over Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic, the No. 2 seed, with a 6-2, 6-4, final score.
The 17-year-old and Philippines' top-ranked player is the first Filipino to bag a junior Grand Slam singles championship.
Alex Eala kicked off The US Open Juniors last September 4 by taking down Anabelle Xu of Canada with a 6-3, 6-0, final score. The successful stunt continued as she came out ahead of Nina Vargova of Slovakia, Taylah Preston of Australia, Mirra Andreeva, Victoria Mboko of Canada, and finally, Lucie Havlickova of the Czech Republic.
The US Open Juniors has been one laborious journey for Eala as she faced higher-ranking opponents, but the Philippine representative whizzed through it in straight sets.
In a speech after bagging the prestigious title, Eala acknowledged and thanked her family, Rafa Nadal Academy team, sponsors, and fans for their gratifying support. The 2022 US Open Girls' Singles champion also highlighted the value of such win to the future of Philippine tennis.
"Buong puso ko 'tong ipinag-laban. Hindi lang para sa sarili ko, kundi para makatulong din ako sa kinabukasan ng Philippine tennis. Hindi lang ito panalo ko, panalo natin 'to," says Alex Eala.
Currently, Alex Eala is ranked No. 2 on ITF junior. She has also achieved her highest career ranking of 280 given by the Women's Tennis Association and is now the highest-ranked Filipino female singles player in the history of WTA.
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