Alex Aira has long been hailed as a genius player who carries the future of Philippine tennis and the hopes of a nation eager to break out on the world stage.
Now, at just 20 years old, she is beginning to fulfill a prophecy that has been in the air since she first picked up a racket.
Aira started the year as the No. 130 player in the WTA rankings and climbed 80 ranks to become the first Filipino tennis player to reach the top 50 in 2025 with a record of 40 wins and 26 losses.
Her year was full of moments that showed how much she had grown, not only in terms of skill but also in poise. Whether rallying from a set down or holding her nerve in a long tiebreak, she displayed a newfound poise that allowed her to turn close matches into career-defining victories.
Each tournament was proof that she was adapting, recovering, and developing a mindset that outmatched opponents she easily dominated in her early professional years.
It’s only fitting that we look back at what Ella achieved last season and what he was able to gain. From promising juniors to poised competitors who have now established themselves among the up-and-coming names in the sport.
Iara’s breakthrough at the Miami Open
Entering the tournament as a wild card, the unprecedented Ila surprised the entire tennis world with her performance at the 2025 Miami Open and essentially became the springboard for this season’s success.
From the early rounds, Eala made it clear that she wasn’t there just to participate.
In the round of 128, she defeated then-world No. 43 Katie Volinets in straight sets. She then defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and then scored a big win over 2025 Australian Open favorite Madison Keys, becoming the first Filipino to defeat a top 10 player and a Grand Slam champion in a WTA tournament.
A bye win over No. 10 seed Paula Badosa in the round of 16 would be the biggest win of Eara’s career, with a stunning upset over world No. 2 Iga Swientek in the quarterfinals. With this win, she became the first Filipino to reach the semifinals of the WTA 1000, and also the first Filipino player to defeat a top-five ranked player.
In the semifinals, No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula halted the momentum in a thrilling three-set match, but by then the story had changed. Ila was no longer just a promising young player. for Ela seemed worthy of her.
Her overall career winning percentage on hard courts is 67%, and an upward trend is definitely in sight.
Ila makes Grand Slam debut and wins first US Open
Her ranking was good enough to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, paving the way for tennis fans to see if Ila is ready for the big stage.
The first test was at Roland Garros, where she succumbed to Emiliana Arango. Despite losing a tough three sets (0-6, 6-2, 3-6), she showed fighting moments and grit after a shaky first set.
Next came Wimbledon’s grass court spectacle, with Ila back in the spotlight in the main draw. Facing defending champion Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round, Eara stepped onto the iconic Center Court and suffered another three-set defeat under bright lights.
However, Ila did not waste his last chance to win a Grand Slam match at the US Open this season.
She pulled off a major upset by defeating 14th seed Clara Thorson in a thrilling three-set battle, highlighted by a comeback in the final set.
Eala’s victory was no ordinary victory, its magnitude reverberating far beyond her personal career. That night in New York, the “future” of Philippine tennis was firmly planted in the present.
What’s next for Eala?
Already making waves on hard courts and grass, Ila’s next challenge lies on clay courts, which have tested her and offer untapped opportunities.
This was evident in her appearance at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, where she lost in straight sets to Panna Udvardi in the second round. Following this loss, Ila publicly acknowledged that the court required further adjustments to her fight.
So what will the clay court improvements look like for Ela in 2026?
First, the key is to develop consistent footwork and movement that adapts to the road surface – staying low, gliding cleanly, and choosing when to extend rallies. Another aspect is that Ela adapts his serve and return strategy to suit the slow nature of clay so that he can take more points to his advantage.
So the clay court season isn’t just part of Alex Ila’s calendar, it’s his next testing ground.
If she can unlock the nuances on the surface and turn her momentum on the hard courts into success on the Red Dust, the rise we’ve witnessed is just the beginning.