Alex Eala ‘disappointed’ over early exit in Australian Open

FILE–Philippines’ Alex Eala. (Photo by ULISES RUIZ / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala expressed her disappointment after her early exit in the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers but the Filipino tennis star vowed to come back stronger.

The Grand Slam women’s main draw remained elusive for Eala as she fell to Croatia’s Jana Fett, 7-5, 6-2, in the first round of the Australian Open qualifiers on Tuesday in Melbourne.

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READ: Alex Eala crashes out of Australian Open qualifying

For the third straight time, Eala an early exit in the Australian Open qualifiers, but  she remains determined to make it to the seniors’ main draw someday.

“Sadly, my run in this year’s Australian Open is much shorter than l’d hoped. Disappointed to say the least,” she wrote on Instagram.

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“But that’s tennis – constantly falling down and picking yourself up, week by week, believing one day you’ll end up on top. So much love for you Melbourne. I’ll be back,” Eala said.

READ: Alex Eala ‘excited’ to chase more goals in 2025

The 19-year-old Eala, the first Filipino Grand Slam singles champion in the 2023 US Open girls, came close to a main draw appearance but lost her final qualifying games in the French Open and Wimbledon last year.

The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate started the year with a semifinal appearance in the Women’s Tennis Association 125 Canberra International.

Her season will continue with WTA and International Tennis Federation tournaments.