Tennis – Eastbourne Open – Devonshire Park Garden Tennis Membership, Eastbourne, Britain – June 28, 2025
Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts as she is interviewed after receiving the runners up trophy after shedding the ladies’s singles closing towards Australia’s Maya Joint Motion Photos through Reuters/Paul Childs
MANILA, Philippines — Struggling to struggle off her tears, Alex Eala nonetheless flashed a smile as she obtained her Lexus Eastbourne Open runner-up trophy after a heartbreaking loss to Australia’s rising star Maya Joint in a grueling closing.
It was a painful end result for Eala, who did not seize her first Ladies’s Tennis Affiliation (WTA) title regardless of holding 4 championship factors in a 4-6, 6-1, 6(10)-7 setback Saturday evening (Manila time).
READ: Alex Eala suffers heartbreak at Eastbourne Open closing vs Maya Joint
The 20-year-old Eala, nonetheless, nonetheless held her head up excessive after turning into the primary Filipino to enter the WTA closing.
“That is my first WTA closing. It’s an enormous deal for me and you understand, for my nation too. It’s historic. As a result of that is the primary time that any Filipina has achieved it,” mentioned Eala.
Eala remained gracious in defeat, commending the 19-year-old and world No. 51 Joint after their epic duel.
“I wish to congratulate Maya for a fantastic match and a fantastic match. Yeah, I feel, we did rather well and I feel, you understand, if I used to be to lose to anybody, I feel it could undoubtedly be you. So congratulations,” she mentioned.
Eala hopes to maneuver on shortly as she units her sights on her Wimbledon foremost draw debut on Tuesday towards defending champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.
READ: Alex Eala faces defending champion in Wimbledon foremost draw debut
“It’s been a loopy 12 months so I’ll bear in mind this week and this second without end,” Eala mentioned.
“I assume that’s additionally why I’m so emotional however you understand, that is the primary. I’ll work exhausting to do extra. Wimbledon’s subsequent week so, hopefully, I neglect about this match quickly sufficient.”
It was nonetheless a fantastic run for the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate after making her first finals this 12 months and maiden championship recreation on grass.
Eala reached the title spherical regardless of being a qualifier on the WTA 250 match.
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The Philippines’ pleasure shall be making her second ladies’s Grand Slam look this 12 months after a first-round exit within the French Open final Could.
