Alexandra “Alex” Eala touched down in Macau, carrying the exhilaration of a recent gold medal victory from the Southeast Asian Games and the promise of a prestigious tournament ahead.
Her arrival coincided with Christmas Day, a fitting backdrop for a moment she shared online with a simple, joyful message: “Made it. Merry Christmas.”
The 20-year-old Filipina star will briefly reunite with family before stepping onto the court for the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters, an exhibition event showcasing both rising talents and legendary figures of the sport.
Eala, currently ranked No. 53 in the WTA, is among a select group of promising players invited to compete in a format featuring team competitions, men’s and women’s singles, and mixed doubles.
A highly anticipated match awaits her on Sunday: a rematch against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, the world No. 9. This will be their first encounter since Eala’s decisive 6-4, 6-0 victory over Andreeva in the 2022 US Open quarterfinals.
That US Open triumph wasn’t just a win; it was history. Eala ultimately claimed the junior Grand Slam title, becoming the first Filipina to ever achieve the feat.
Their connection extends beyond singles competition. Eala and Andreeva previously partnered in doubles at the same US Open, reaching the second round together.
Before facing Andreeva in singles, Eala will team up with China’s Jerry Shang in mixed doubles, challenging Andreeva and Yibing Wu, also of China, in a compelling pairing.
Eala’s journey to Macau was fueled by a strong performance at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where she secured one gold and two bronze medals.
Bronze medals came in the women’s team event alongside teammates Stefi Aludo, Alexa Milliam, Tennielle Madis, and Shaira Rivera, and in mixed doubles with Niño Alcantara.
But it was her commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the women’s singles final that secured the gold, marking the first SEAG championship for a Filipina since Maricris Fernandez’s win in 1999.
