Alex Eala remained upbeat despite a heartbreaking loss in the Eastbourne Open finale, calling it one of the toughest defeats of her young career while vowing to bounce back stronger at Wimbledon.
It was not the ending that Alex Eala had hoped for in the 2025 Eastbourne Open.
The 20-year-old Filipina tennis ace poured her heart out after suffering a painful 4-6, 6-1, 6-7(10) defeat to Australia’s Maya Joint in the finale on Saturday, June 28.
It marked Eala’s first-ever WTA tournament Finals appearance—and a golden chance to become the first Filipina to lift a title on tour.
“This has to be one of the toughest losses of my early career,” Eala admitted in an emotional post-match message on her Instagram page. “But I firmly believe that it’s these moments that make you stronger and shape your character.”
Despite the pain of a narrow loss—one decided by a tense tiebreak in the third set—Eala remained composed and grateful.
“Though I’m so happy with the positive week, it’s full speed ahead to Wimbledon,” she added. “I have a date with Center Court.”
Entering as the world no. 74, Eala had been riding a wave of confidence, knocking out seeded players and battling through qualifiers to reach her first WTA Finals.
But in the end, it was the 19-year-old Joint who prevailed, capturing her second WTA title in as many months.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala tearful after historic 1st WTA final: 'It's a big deal for me and my country']
Still, Eala’s campaign won praise for her grit and poise under pressure, something she plans to carry into her Wimbledon debut next week.
“A WTA trophy. Thank you, everyone, for the love,” she wrote, acknowledging the outpouring of support from Filipino fans around the world.
With maturity beyond her years and hunger still burning, Eala’s loss should not be the end, but the start of something even greater.
Up next for Eala will be the defending champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic in the first round of Wimbledon.