Mar 26, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHL)(R) shakes hands with Iga Swiatek (POL)(L) at the net after their match on day nine of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
MANILA, Philippines — Two years ago, Alex Eala stood side by side with Iga Swiatek after the Grand Slam champion attended her graduation at Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain as a guest of honor.
Fast forward to the present day, Eala faced the World No. 2 in the biggest match of her young career and pulled off the improbable, upsetting Swiatek in the 2025 Miami Open quarterfinal, 6-2, 7-5, on Thursday (Manila time).
It was a surreal feeling for Eala to beat the tennis star from Poland, with whom she posed for a photo with along with legend Rafa Nadal in 2022.
READ: Alex Eala knocks world No. 2 Iga Swiatek out of Miami Open
“I think every year the academy tries to invite a public figure I guess to inspire the kids. I thought I was super lucky to have her during my graduation. She just came off I think a slam win also, Roland Garros,” said Eala in the post-match press conference.
“But I remember that I walked up and she was, like, Oh, I know you. I have seen you. I was, like, yes (smiling). Then she even did the whole ceremony with the whole class, tossed the hat, and I was so lucky, because I was, like, beside her.”
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, Alex Eala and Iga Swiatek in a group photo during Rafael Nadal Academy graduation in 2022. –ALEX EALA INSTAGRAM
But when Eala stood in front of Swiatek this time in Miami–it was to shake her hand after a well-fought game where she came out the victor.
“It’s super surreal to think that the circumstances have changed, I’m facing her on court. I’m blessed to have that opportunity,” she said.
READ: Alex Eala continues to make history as wildcard at Miami Open
“[I felt the] nerves, before and after. That’s why I said about the celebration, you don’t really think that the match is over, because you’re still thinking about the next point, what to do next. Everybody gets nervous. I’m sure someone as great as Iga gets nervous from time to time. All these big players get nervous. It’s a matter of how you deal with it and how, like I said, to compartmentalize,” she added.
Eala shared that she still has her picture with Swiatek and Nadal, saying she won’t “ever let it go.”
After her massive upset of Swiatek, Eala proved that a homegrown Filipino talent like her can compete with the world’s best players after beating three Grand Slam champions to enter the Miami Open semifinals.
“I knew that I had the level to stick with her. She’s very decorated. She’s achieved a lot, and she’s someone that I have looked up to for a while. So it was a pleasure to share the court with her and to be able to compete with her and to hang with her rhythm. It’s something I’m very proud of,” she said.