Tennis legend Rafa Nadal believes Alex Eala is just getting started following her runner-up finish at the Lexus Eastbourne Open on Saturday night. Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, celebrated Eala’s historic feat after becoming the first Filipino to reach a WTA final despite falling to Maya Joint of Australia,

For the first time, Alex Eala will be playing for the title in the WTA Tour. Eala scored a grindout 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over Varvara Gracheva of France on Friday to advance to the championship round

Philippines' Alexandra Eala sheds a tear at the presentation ceremony after her defeat to Australia's Maya Joint in their women's singles final tennis match on day six of the Lexus Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, on June 28, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)