Eala makes history as first Filipina to win a WTA title

21-year-old makes WTA history

The 21-year-old collapsed to the ground in tears as the umpire called the winning point on Monday, having overcome weather delays and the loss of the first set to seal the biggest win of her career.

Eala's long road to the Washington Open title

Eala's run, as BBC Sport reported, saw her beat Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and Pegula on her way to the trophy.

She first picked up a racket at the age of four and later joined the academy of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, graduating in 2023 with her diploma presented by then-world number one Iga Swiatek.

Three years on, she knocked Swiatek out of Wimbledon to become the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam in the Open era, the same tournament where players chase the enormous prize money on offer at Wimbledon.

"To the Filipino community, here in DC and back home, wherever you are in the world. I really feel all the love."

Alexandra Eala

Nadal, whose academy she graduated from, congratulated her on X, writing: “A well-deserved title for all the hard work.” Pegula, beaten in the final, said it was the best Monday final crowd she had seen, joking that some fans must have taken the day off work.

Having beaten the top three seeds and been described by Pegula as “the future of the tour”, the world number 20 now stands out as one of the most exciting young talents in the women's game.