Alex Eala maintains concentration despite increased attention on her

MADRID — Alex Eala, a teen star, is attempting to remain grounded despite the tremendous attention she has received following her breakout race in Miami.

Eala, a 19-year-old product of Rafael Nadal’s program, has risen to No. 72 in the WTA rankings after reaching the Miami Open quarterfinals as a wild card last month. She is the first Filipina to be rated in the top 100.

“Now that the dust has settled, I try not to think about Miami so much,” she told me. “Of course, it comes to mind when others ask, but I have my entire life to reflect on those occasions, and those memories will always be with me. But the tour and competition continue, so I’m currently focused solely on Madrid.”

Eala defeated Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-2 in her first match at the clay-court Madrid Open on Tuesday, setting up a rematch with four-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek, whom she upset in straight sets in the Miami quarterfinals.

However, Eala succumbed to Swiatek, the defending Madrid Open winner, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, on Thursday, but not before forcing the clay specialist to play a hard-fought match.

Tennis – Madrid Open – Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain – April 24, 2025 Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts during her round of 64 match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek REUTERS/Juan Medina

“I definitely think that each match is a different story,” Eala stated prior to the contest. “Even if it’s against the same player every time — doesn’t matter if I play her at the same time next year in Miami or in Madrid next year, it’s going to be a different story than the last one.”

In Miami, the left-handed Eala upset Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys, both Grand Slam champions.

“A lot of external factors have changed (since Miami),” Eala told me. “More eyes are on me. I suppose there is more exposure. However, nothing has altered in my daily life or how I feel within because my work ethic has always been present. My staff has been so down to earth, keeping me grounded and reminding me of what I need to focus on right now.”

Eala bringing the 🔥 early!

She takes the first set 6-4 over defending Champion Swiatek.#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/Oq1RBH8bjY

— wta (@WTA) April 24, 2025

In Miami, Eala became the first Filipino player in the Open Era to win four main-draw matches in a WTA 1000 tournament.

“What surprised me was that I had won against top ten and top five players.” “Of course, happy shock,” she added. “But the mindset is still, especially before the matches, is that you can beat them.”

Eala, who fell to Panna Udvardy in the round of 16 of a WTA 125 tournament in Oeiras, Portugal, last week, won her maiden WTA 1000 title in Madrid last year.

Move to Rafa Nadal Academy.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, Alex Eala and Iga Swiatek in a group photo during Rafael Nadal Academy graduation in 2022. –ALEX EALA INSTAGRAM

Eala came to Spain at the age of 13 after receiving an offer from the Rafa Nadal Academy following one of her youth tournament triumphs.

“I believe it was a significant milestone when I transferred to the Rafa Academy. “They’ve definitely been a part of my journey,” she remarked. “It was a difficult choice to send me to Spain at such a young age, but I was quite delighted. I felt it was an excellent opportunity to move out of the Philippines and improve my tennis.

“They’re very experienced people,” she remarked. “The coaching team has extensive expertise and knowledge. And they have a system that allows me to learn, sort things out for myself, and progress as a player.”

Nadal was among those celebrating Eala on her surprising win in Miami.

Joan Bosch: The Unsung Maestro Behind Alex Eala’s Meteoric Rise to Tennis Stardom

In the rapidly evolving world of tennis, where young talents flicker and fade at an unforgiving pace, a few stars shine brighter and longer due to a unique fusion of raw potential and precise mentorship. One such prodigy is Alex Eala, the Philippine tennis sensation who has steadily climbed the ranks of global recognition. While the world applauds her achievements on the court, less attention has been paid to the architect behind her meteoric ascent: Joan Bosch. A name that may not echo in stadiums but resonates powerfully in the corridors of professional tennis development.

Joan Bosch, a seasoned Spanish tennis coach with decades of experience nurturing top-tier talent, has been pivotal in shaping Eala’s journey from promising junior to rising professional. His approach is not built on force or rigidity, but rather on cultivating an athlete’s full personality—technical finesse, mental strength, and emotional balance. Bosch’s methodology mirrors the philosophy that a tennis player is not born but meticulously crafted, stroke by stroke, match by match.

When Eala joined the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain—a training ground that has produced numerous elite players—she came under the tutelage of a coaching team that included Bosch. It was here that their partnership blossomed. More than just a coach, Bosch became a mentor and guiding force, identifying not only Eala’s strengths but the nuanced areas in need of refinement. He recognized early on that Eala had the tenacity, athleticism, and mindset that set champions apart. But he also understood that success in the cutthroat world of professional tennis required more than talent.

Bosch’s contribution was both surgical and strategic. He worked tirelessly with Eala on her court movement, her shot selection, and most importantly, her decision-making under pressure—transforming her into a thinking player. He instilled in her the importance of adaptability, helping her master multiple playing styles to counter a diverse range of opponents. Under Bosch’s watchful eye, Eala honed her baseline power game while integrating net approaches and improved serve variation, making her game unpredictable and multidimensional.

Perhaps most importantly, Bosch worked on the often-overlooked mental and emotional dimensions of Eala’s game. Tennis is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. The pressure of expectations, the solitude of the tour, the rollercoaster of wins and losses—all of these can erode a player’s confidence and focus. Bosch acted as a stabilizing influence, teaching Eala mindfulness, resilience, and self-belief. His quiet presence on the sidelines belied the enormous support he provided behind the scenes.

One of the most telling signs of Bosch’s influence is Eala’s maturity beyond her years. Whether in interviews or on the court, she exudes poise and discipline. She speaks with clarity about her goals, her process, and her setbacks—an attitude shaped by a coach who emphasized growth over glory. Bosch ensured that Eala never lost sight of the long game: building a career with longevity rather than chasing fleeting victories.

As Eala continues her climb up the WTA rankings, adding titles and fans along the way, Bosch remains the steady hand behind the scenes—shunning the limelight but never short of impact. Their collaboration reflects a modern tennis success story where mentorship, not just coaching, is at the heart of development. In Joan Bosch, Alex Eala found not just a coach, but a maestro—someone who orchestrated her evolution with precision, passion, and purpose.

The tale of Eala’s rise is as much a story of her talent as it is a testament to the transformative power of having the right guide. And in Joan Bosch, she has one of the finest.