Eala played tennis with her brother and grandfather as a child and told BBC TV that she still “can’t catch up” with her brother.
She first came to prominence in 2022 when she graced the cover of Vogue in her home country after becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam title by winning the US Open.
She received more attention after her breakthrough at the 2025 Miami Open. This ironically started with another win over Swiatek.
Eala, 19 years old and not ranked in the top 100, advanced to the semifinals with wins over Grand Slam champions Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys.
Since then she has climbed into the world’s top 30, won two titles at the second-tier WTA 125 tournament and was runner-up in Eastbourne last year.
In preparation for this year’s Wimbledon, she defeated world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and No. 8 Elina Svitolina in Berlin, and also teamed with Venus Williams in doubles.
Her success meant her popularity soared. She snakes lines around Grand Slam venues when she’s scheduled on the court outside, and she hosts watch parties at home.
It brings both good and bad pressure. If Eala’s victory is celebrated with national pride in the Philippines, her loss is also deeply felt.
At the Australian Open, she was overwhelmed by the number of people lining up to watch her practice.
“I try to be as authentic as possible. I believe in authenticity,” Eala said.
“I am very grateful and welcome for all the support I have received, but me, my team and my family are the ones who have invested their time.
“We are the ones who are in the courthouse for 12 hours straight. We are the ones who wake up early and come home late.
“I think work ethic is what really grounds me.”
