Alex Eala and Coleman Wong make history at the US Open

26.08.2025

RNA Editorial.

The start of the 2025 US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, is proving historic for the players of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar . Two of them, Filipino Álex Eala and Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong , have achieved their first victory in the main draw of a major and, in addition, the first triumph for a tennis player from their respective countries in one of the four majors.

Eala secured the victory after defeating fourteenth-seeded Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) in the first round. She did so after coming back from 5-1 down in the third set to overcome a nail-biting super tiebreak.

At 20 years old , Eala is one of the season’s biggest sensations. The current WTA No. 75 reached the semifinals in Miami after defeating, among others, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, and was a finalist in Eastbourne .

Winner of the 2022 US Open Juniors and a member of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar since 2018, Eala achieved her first victory in the main draw of a Grand Slam after attempting it twice this year: at Wimbledon, where she crossed paths with Czech Barbora Krejcikova, and at Roland Garros, where she fell to Colombian Emiliana Arango.

For Coleman Wong , his first Grand Slam appearance was enough to also earn him his first victory at the age of 21. Wong defeated American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(4).

“Thank you to all the Hong Kong fans, everyone watching in Hong Kong, and everyone supporting me this week. I know who you are. To Mom and Dad, thank you for everything. Thank you,” said an emotional Wong after the match at Flushing Meadows, after becoming the first male player from Hong Kong to win a Grand Slam match in the Open Era.

Wong, who is particularly good at playing in the United States (he reached the third round in Miami and Cincinnati), joked about the message he received from Rafa Nadal after his success: “I guess I need to get back to him soon,” commented the player, who joined the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in 2021 and already has doubles titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

In the next round, Eala will face Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, while Wong will face Australian Adam Walton. Good luck and continue making history!

In addition to the victories of Álex Eala and Coleman Wong, we must also add those of Casper Ruud, who defeated Sebastian Ofner, and Jaume Munar, who defeated Damir Dzumhur, awaiting Solana Sierra’s debut in the women’s draw.