Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala, the rising Filipino tennis sensation, has been turning heads in the world of tennis. Aged just 19, Eala has already stunned the world with her straight-set victory against Jelena Ostapenko, the 25th ranked player and 2017 French Open champion, at the Miami Open on March 21, 2025. This victory was a testament to the rigorous training Eala has received since 2018 when she moved from the Philippines to Spain to train at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy.
However, Eala isn’t the only prodigy of the Rafa Nadal Academy making significant strides in Miami. Eala’s boyfriend, Coleman Wong, a promising young talent hailing from Hong Kong, is also making his presence felt in the tennis arena.
Wong’s entry into the world of tennis was somewhat accidental. At the tender age of five, he had to fill in for his sister Elana who fell ill during a tennis lesson, thus sparking his love for the sport. Unlike most athletes, Wong doesn’t hail from a sports-centric family background. His father is a school principal, his mother a teacher, and his sister works in the banking sector. Despite this, Wong has charted a remarkable journey in professional sports.
At the age of 17, Wong made a pivotal decision that would shape his future. He decided to move to Spain to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, as he believed that staying in Hong Kong would not be enough to catapult him to the top of the tennis world. His parents supported his decision, and now four years later, Wong’s choice seems to have paid off.
Wong’s junior career boasts impressive accolades, including the US Open boys’ doubles title in 2021 and the Australian Open boys’ doubles championship in 2022. His professional breakthrough occurred in 2024 when he debuted on the ATP Tour in Hong Kong. After a shaky start to 2025, he regained his form in Miami, largely competing on the Challenger circuit.
His performance in Miami was nothing short of extraordinary. Thanks to a wildcard entry, Wong confidently won his opening match against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-3. His most significant achievement, however, came in the second round when he defeated 13th-seeded Ben Shelton in a nail-biting face-off. This victory secured Wong a spot in the third round of the Masters 1000 tournament.
The stellar performances of both Eala and Wong in Miami have not gone unnoticed. Rafael Nadal, their mentor at the Rafa Nadal Academy, expressed his pride for their achievements. Nadal, despite retiring from the tour last fall, has maintained a close connection with the sport and has been closely monitoring the performances of his protégés.
Both Eala and Wong have created history at the Miami Open by reaching the third round, a first for their respective nations. Nadal acknowledged their hard work and success, congratulating them on their victories and expressing his pride.
Eala is set to face No. 5 seed and Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round, while Wong will be up against Australian player Adam Walton. With the entire tennis world watching and Nadal’s mentorship guiding them, the question remains whether these rising stars can continue their dream run.
