The entire tennis world was shaken by the emphatic statement from world number one Iga Swiatek at Melbourne Park. When asked about the player she fears most at this year’s Australian Open, Iga didn’t mention any veteran opponents. Instead, she named the pride of the Philippines: Alex Eala.
“She’s no longer a prospect, she’s a real threat,” Iga admitted after recalling her terrifying experience at the Miami Open. This “prophecy” immediately made experts reconsider Eala’s draw.
But what truly intrigued everyone was Alex Eala’s reaction!
When told by reporters about the flattering compliments from “The Queen,” Alex didn’t offer her usual polite smile. Instead, she gave a short, cool, yet meaningful answer that left the entire press conference room breathless.
After hearing Iga’s praise, Alex Eala simply tightened her grip on her racket and replied: “Iga is half right, but she’ll see the other half on the court this Sunday. I’m not here to receive compliments, I’m here to take their place.”
A proud response from the 20-year-old who just reached world number 49! Alex is no longer the shy “child prodigy”; she’s entering the 2026 Australian Open with the mindset of a true hunter.
Eala opens Australian Open debut vs. USA’s Parks
MANILA – Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala will kick off her campaign at the Australian Open against American Alycia Parks at Melbourne Park on Sunday.
The 20-year-old reached a career-high No. 49 after reaching the semifinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Jan. 10.
Seeded No. 4 in the WTA 250 event, Eala fell to No. 7 seed Chinese Wang Xinyu, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6.
At the Kooyong Classic on Wednesday, the 2025 SEA Games gold medalist defeated Croatian Donna Vekic, 6-3, 6-4, in their exhibition match.
Eala also conquered the 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist at the ASB Classic round of 32, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Eala hopes to carry the momentum when she meets the 6-foot-1 Parks, currently No. 100 in the WTA rankings.
Parks, winner of three WTA 125 title, peaked at No. 40 in 2023.
The Atlanta native made history on her Grand Slam debut at the 2021 US Open, blasting a 129 mph serve to duplicate Venus Williams’ record (achieved in 2007) for fastest serve by a woman at the tournament’s history.
Eala is the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam match in the Open era when she scored a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) victory over 14th seed Clara Tauson in the first round of the 2025 US Open.
As a wild card at the WTA1000 Miami Open, she beat three Grand Slam champions in a row to reach the semifinals.
Eala earned her first WTA title after prevailing over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico last September. (PNA)
