Alexandra Eala Admits to Fighting Nerves Moments Before Citi Open Victory: “I Kind of Blacked Out”

Alexandra Eala has finally captured a tour-level title. On Monday (August 3), Eala came from a set down to defeat home favorite Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to win the biggest title of her career.

Eala is, in fact, the first Filipina to win a WTA title. Before this event, she reached the final of last year’s Eastbourne International but lost to Maya Joint.

Eala, who graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy (was handed her diploma by former WTA World No.1 Iga Swiatek) has tied her head-to-head record over Pegula to 1-1. Prior to this match, they met in the semifinal of the 2025 Miami Open. It was, in fact, in Miami that Eala first hogged the limelight.

Back to the latest match, Eala, seconds after winning the last point, collapsed to the ground in tears. And at the press conference later, she confessed that she had to fight nerves during the final moments.

I was so nervous and and I kind of just blacked out. Everything just came rushing to me, and I was really nervous before the last couple of points. And I was really trying to channel those nerves into hitting good balls and moving my feet. So yeah, a lot, a huge burst of emotions.

Eala has been pretty consistent on the tour this year. She also became the first player from her country to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon, following her straight-set win over Swiatek. In the last 16, she lost to Jasmine Paolini.

So many takeaways from this tournament, and I think I ended the tournament in better shape than I started. I think each match I kept improving and kept learning things about myself. So, definitely gives me a lot of confidence, and it’s just really nice to see all the things that I’ve been working on off court or during training being implemented in matches.

Alexandra Eala added

Eala was initially scheduled to play doubles alongside Venus Williams but chose to withdraw from the event. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion instead competed alongside Diana Shnaider and lost in the quarterfinals.

Alexandra Eala on defeating tough opponents en route to the victory in Washington

Alexandra Eala made her debut in Washington with a three-set win over 2024 Paris Olympics champion Qinwen Zheng. She then eliminated defending champion Leylah Fernandez, before knocking out Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the semifinals.

It was a very steep hill, and coming into the tournament I knew that the competition was super strong. And my draw was quite tough. Every match was just a different set of obstacles. So I’m really, really proud. I think I encountered my fair share of obstacles this week. So super happy.

Alexandra Eala said at the press conference

Eala has reached her career-best ranking of No.20 following her win in Washington. Next is the Canadian Open, which is underway in Toronto. The 21-year-old will face Alycia Parks in the opening round. Eala made her debut at the Canadian Open last year and lost to Marketa Vondrousova in the first round. This year in the WTA 1000 events, Eala has played just one quarterfinal (at the Dubai Tennis Championships).

Reigning champion in Canada, Victoria Mboko, will not be competing as she suffered a knee injury during her singles match at the Queen’s Club Championships. In last year’s final, the Canadian ace upset Naomi Osaka. Following the Toronto event, Eala is expected to play at the Cincinnati Open, which starts on August 13. Iga Swiatek will play as the defending champion.

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