Alex Eala reflects on ‘good learnings’ despite gutwrenching Eastbourne defeat

Oli Dickson Jefford 28 Jun 2025 9:21 PM

Alex Eala after her Eastbourne Open final defeat.

Alex Eala reflected on “good learnings” to take from her Eastbourne Open campaign despite suffering a heartbreaking defeat in her first WTA Tour final.

In a ferocious battle with fellow rising star Maya Joint, world No 74 Eala missed four championship points in the final-set tiebreak to fall 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10) in an extraordinary final.

Had Eala triumphed, she would have become the first Filipina to have won a WTA Tour title, with the 20-year-old already the first player from her nation to reach a tour final.

She would have also soared to world No 52 in the WTA Rankings with victory in the final, though she will still move 18 places to world No 56 on Monday despite defeat.

Eala was visibly emotional in the immediate aftermath of the final, with the 20-year-old in tears following her loss and during her runners-up speech.

However, speaking in the hours after her first WTA final, she conceded that there were still huge positives to take from her campaign at the WTA 250 event.

“In the end, the week was really great,” said Eala, who came through qualifying to reach the main draw.

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“Even though the final hurts a lot, because it was so close, and I had my opportunities, things happen like this.

“She [Joint] played well when she needed to. Tennis is like that, you can’t have two winners, and I think both of us really fought to the end. It was a testament to how badly both of us wanted it.

“The emotions are still a bit raw, but overall, there have been so many good moments this week, so many good learnings as well. I hope to take that with me going into Wimbledon.”

Having made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open last month, Eala will now become the first Filipina player to play in the main draw of Wimbledon.

And, the 20-year-old could not have been handed a more exciting draw.

Eala will take on 17th seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round, with the match set to take place inside the iconic Centre Court.

Tradition dictates that the reigning women’s singles champion opens the Centre Court order of play on Day 2 action at SW19, meaning Eala and Krejcikova will face off on Tuesday.

Having had such a strong week in Eastbourne in the build-up to her debut appearance at the All England Club, Eala believes she will be more than prepared for her campaign.

She added: “Obviously, it was a big load this week of matches – but that’s kind of what we wanted, to get that time on grass, and get that time competing.

“I’ll be for sure 100% ready by Tuesday.”