Alex Eala is currently preparing to participate in the Madrid Open for the fifth time in her young career.
Eala made her debut at the event in 2022, losing in the first round of qualifying to Anna Bondar.
Four years later, and the Filipina sensation has entered the main draw directly.
Eala began this year’s clay-court season by defeating Julia Grabher at the Linz Open. However, she was beaten in the very next round by Jelena Ostapenko.
Will Alex Eala ever win a Grand Slam title?
Almost a week later, an under-par Eala was defeated 1-6, 4-6 by Canadian star Leylah Fernandez.
The 20-year-old will hope for an improved set of results in Madrid, and she has now found out her first-round opponent in the Spanish capital.
Alex Eala could play Karolina Pliskova in Madrid
Eala will begin her 2026 Madrid Open campaign against a qualifier.
If the Filipina wins her first match, she will play 19th seed Elise Mertens in the second round.
Mertens emerged victorious from their one previous meeting, beating Eala 7-5, 6-0 in the 2023 Jasmin Open in Tunisia.
If Eala advances further, she will likely play 12th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova or former world number one, Karolina Pliskova.
If the 20-year-old continues to move through the draw, she will likely face Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, and Coco Gauff in the last four.
If Eala were to do the unthinkable and reach the Madrid Open final, she would likely play world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Fans of the Filipina will be hoping that the youngster can record a strong performance at the event and boost her chances of attaining a seeded position for the French Open later this year.
Eala is currently ranked 44th on the WTA Tour – 12 places shy of the coveted world number 32 spot.
Alexandra Eala’s 2025 Madrid Open
Fresh off her stunning semi-final run in Miami, Alex Eala arrived at the 2025 Madrid Open full of confidence.
The Filipina continued to impress, defeating Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-2.
Alex Eala’s record in Madrid
- 2022: Qualifying first round
- 2023: First round
- 2024: Second round
- 2025: Second round
In the second round, she faced Iga Swiatek – the world number two whom Eala had beaten in Miami the previous month.
Eala started strongly against Swiatek, taking the first set 6-4.
However, Swiatek refused to be beaten by Eala for a second time in as many months, winning the next two sets 6-4, 6-2.
“I understand that there’s hype about these young players, but you have got to be focused on yourself,” Swiatek said afterwards, as per BBC Sport.
“Honestly, I didn’t realise it, I had better things to think about.”
