Struggles of Filipino Tennis Star Eala Highlight Visa Challenges

MIAMI, Florida — Filipino tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala has surged into the spotlight, culminating her performance at the Miami Open with a historic semifinals appearance. This feat marks her as the first player from the Philippines to reach the final four of a WTA 1000 tournament, pushing her ranking to No. 72 in the world.

Eala’s journey at the Miami Open was nothing short of spectacular as she defeated notable players, including Australian Open champion Madison Keys and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. These victories have propelled her into the coveted Top 100, granting her direct entry into major international tournaments.

Despite her recent success, Eala emphasizes the challenges posed by her Philippine passport, which allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to only 65 countries and territories. “What’s challenging is being able to travel with flexibility,” Eala said. “As a tennis player, you need to be very flexible with your schedule and make a lot of last-minute choices.”

Eala, who trains at Rafael Nadal‘s tennis academy in Mallorca, Spain, faces additional hurdles securing travel visas for key Grand Slam tournaments held in Australia, France, Great Britain, and the United States, as well as for competitions in Asian countries like China.

Despite the difficulties, Eala cherishes her Filipino heritage and the steadfast support she receives from the Filipino diaspora worldwide. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas estimated in 2013 that more than 10 million people of Filipino descent live or work abroad, with over 4.6 million residing in the United States. “You cannot find that kind of community anywhere else, in my opinion,” she shared, reflecting on her background.

As she moves forward, Eala gears up for her next competition as the top seed at the WTA 125 event in Oeiras, Portugal, from April 14 to 20. Eala is determined to maintain her recent momentum and compete in subsequent tournaments throughout Europe.

Following Oeiras, Eala is scheduled to participate in a series of WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome before heading to Parma, Italy, showcasing her ambition to further elevate her standing in tennis.