Alexandra Eala has once again captured fans’ hearts online — this time not for her powerful forehand, but for an adorable childhood photo with tennis icon Maria Sharapova.
Just days after a throwback picture of Eala and Iga Swiatek resurfaced following her stunning Miami Open quarterfinal win, another nostalgic gem hit social media. The photo, shared by a fan account, shows a very young Eala posing happily with the five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova. Although it’s unclear when or where the picture was taken, fans couldn’t get enough of the sweet moment, calling it “precious” and “so cute.”
Eala’s admiration for Sharapova has long been public. In a 2023 interview before her Madrid Open match, she confessed, “I had a poster of her in my room — she was my fifth-grade project. I liked her style and how she chased every ball.” She echoed this again during her Miami Open press conference on March 26, proudly naming Sharapova as her ultimate tennis idol.
“I loved her courage, her confidence, and how she carried herself,” Eala said. “When I was little, she was everything I wanted to be. Later, I also started admiring Simona Halep, Li Na, and Ashleigh Barty.”
Eala’s childhood inspirations have clearly shaped her tennis journey. Even as a 14-year-old, she spoke about how Halep’s energy and mental strength influenced her, saying she loved the Romanian’s never-give-up attitude. Her ambition, though, remains steady — to win Grand Slam titles and one day become world No.1, much like her idol Sharapova, who achieved that status in 2005.
The 19-year-old’s Miami Open campaign this year marked her best performance yet in a WTA 1000 event. Although she fell to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, Eala was filled with pride. “This year’s Miami Open has left me speechless — full of pride and gratitude,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m proud to have represented the Philippines on one of tennis’ biggest stages.”
Fans were quick to gush over her viral childhood picture with Sharapova. One commented “lovely🥰,” while another joked, “Already around the pros even before your teeth were complete!” Others affectionately dubbed them “Mommy 🐐 and baby 🐐.”
Eala’s Miami journey was remarkable. Before the event, her best 2025 result came in Canberra, where she reached the semifinals. But in Miami, she defeated three former Grand Slam champions — Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek — becoming the only player ranked outside the Top 100 to beat a Top 2 opponent in tournament history. The last to do anything similar was Daria Gavrilova, who upset Sharapova in 2015.
Her spirited performance didn’t go unnoticed. Tennis legend Chris Evert applauded her resilience on X, writing, “Incredible that Alex Eala still has anything left in her considering the teen has beaten 3 Grand Slam champs.”
After her Miami run, Eala made history yet again — becoming the first Filipino to crack the WTA Top 100, soaring 65 spots to world No.75.
With her childhood dreams now aligning with her real-life achievements, fans are wondering: will Alexandra Eala continue her rise and emulate her idol Sharapova’s greatness? Time will tell — but one thing’s clear — the “baby” in that viral picture is growing into a true star.
