PARIS — Alexandra Eala etched her name in tennis history on Wednesday, becoming the first Filipino woman to secure a Grand Slam match victory with a commanding performance in the French Open women’s doubles. Partnering with Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, the 20-year-old defeated Britain’s Emily Appleton and Spain’s Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the second round.
The triumph came just two days after Eala’s debut in the French Open singles main draw ended in a hard-fought loss to Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3. The doubles victory marked a significant milestone for Eala, who expressed pride in representing her country on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
“It’s so heartwarming,” Eala told The Associated Press after the match. “Of course, it’s always good to come back and compete well after a singles loss, especially after a tight one. I’m feeling happy to be playing with Renata and to have my first Slam win.”
Eala, ranked 73rd in the world, described the win as a bright spot in her Grand Slam debut. “It’s my first time in Grand Slam doubles, so I’m thrilled,” she said. “There’s things to take away from the singles loss, and I try to do better in the doubles.”
The support from her home country has been a driving force, Eala noted. “They’re happy to see a Filipino competing in the main draw in Paris,” she said, highlighting the positive response from fans back home.
Eala’s journey to this historic moment began at age 13 when she joined Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, Spain. Her talent shone early, culminating in the 2022 US Open girls’ singles title. Earlier this year, ranked 140th, she made waves at the Miami Open, defeating Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to reach the semifinals.
The young star sees her success as part of a broader rise in Filipino athletics. “I think we’re entering a new era for Filipino sport,” Eala said, pointing to gymnast Carlos Yulo’s two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics as evidence of her country’s growing presence on the global stage. “Filipinos are very talented and very hard workers. There’s a community because it’s not often you see Filipino athletes excel internationally, so every time someone does well, we’re very happy for them.”
Eala’s doubles victory underscores her potential as a trailblazer for Philippine tennis. As she prepares for her next match, her performance in Paris signals a bright future for both her and Filipino sports on the world stage.
