Filipina tennis star Alex Eala hopes to have a winning start in her first-ever appearance at a main draw in a Grand Slam, seeing action in the 2025 French Open.
Just days after celebrating her 20th birthday, Alex Eala steps onto the sport’s biggest stage.
The Filipina star makes her long-awaited debut in a Grand Slam main draw at the 2025 French Open, where Eala faces Colombian rival Emiliana Arango in the first round on Sunday at 6:10 p.m. (Manila time).
Currently ranked world no. 69, Eala enters Roland Garros with both confidence and unfinished business.
Eala is eager to avenge her tough three-set loss to Arango in the 2024 Miami Open qualifiers, where the Colombian stormed back from a set down to win, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1.
[READ: Who is Emiliana Arango? Alex Eala set to make history at French Open vs former nemesis]
That defeat remains a sore spot for Eala — but it also served as a turning point.
In a poetic twist, that same Miami tournament the next year marked Eala’s meteoric rise up the WTA rankings, highlighted by her stunning victory over reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek en route to a career-best semifinals finish.
It was a breakthrough that established Eala as a player to watch on the global stage.
Now, on the clay courts of Paris, Eala is determined to start her Grand Slam singles journey on a high note and prove her Miami run was no fluke.
She’ll have to overcome world no. 88 Arango, who has enjoyed her own strong season, including a title win at the WTA 125 Cancun Open and a recent second-round appearance at the Parma Ladies Open.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala reflects on tennis journey ahead of Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros]
Eala, meanwhile, arrives in Paris after a solid showing in the Italian Open doubles, where she reached the quarterfinals with Coco Gauff, albeit at the expense of her singles campaign.
With the spotlight shining bright and history within reach, Eala now looks to turn potential into performance — and write the first chapter of what she hopes will be a long Grand Slam journey.
(With reports from Luisa Morales)
—
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]