FIRST came the disbelief, then the phone call.
Moments after pulling off the biggest win of her grass-court career, Alex Eala did what many 21-year-olds would do after a life-changing moment —calling her parents.
“I called my dad. I just said, ‘Oh my God,’” Eala shared in a post-match interview after stunning world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, 7-5, 6-4, in the Berlin Tennis Open.
READ: Alex Eala takes down world no.2 Rybakina in Berlin Tennis Open
“I was just screaming. Just really happy.”
The emotions were understandable.
Not only had Eala defeated one of the best players in the world, she had done it on Rybakina’s preferred surface, grass, where the Kazakhstani has built a reputation as one of the tour’s most dangerous players.
Even after match point, the magnitude of the moment had yet to fully sink in.
She's off to the quarterfinal drawn against world no. 8 Elina Svitolina.
“I’m a little foggy,” Eala admitted. “I was shaking on match point, too. I’m really happy with today. It could’ve gone either way. She’s an amazing player, one of the players to beat, and I’m happy to be able to share the court with her again."
The victory did not come easy. Rybakina unleashed several aces early and consistently put pressure on Eala’s return game, forcing the Filipina to adjust on the fly.
“She did good returns, many aces in the first couple of games, so, getting the point in play was a big thing for me," Eala explained.
That challenge played directly into the mentality that has helped kept her composure.
“You have to give yourself grace while also being brave,” she said describing her return game. “In my return game in general, the highlight of my game is to be brave.”
The feat recorded her biggest win against a top 2 player following her Miami 2025 upset over then world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
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