Alex Eala’s Parents: Meet Mike and Rizza Maniego-Eala

Alexandra “Alex” Maniego Eala is making history as the first Filipina to break into the WTA top 100 and reach a WTA 1000 semifinal

She attributes much of her growth to a family deeply rooted in sports and corporate excellence.

Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, brings her own athletic and business accolades to the table, while her father, Mike Eala, is her unwavering pillar of support.

This article explores their backgrounds, achievements, and the vital role they play in Alex’s journey.

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Alex Eala’s Family Background and Athletic Roots

Rizza Maniego-Eala: Athlete and Executive

• Rizza earned a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games, demonstrating discipline and elite competitive drive from a young age.

• She later transitioned into the corporate sphere, serving as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Globe Telecom, one of the Philippines’ largest telecommunications firms, before retiring in 2024.¹

• Rizza’s success earned her recognition as among Asia’s Best CFO, backed by major regional awards.

Mike Eala: Supportive Father and Mentor

• While less is publicly known about Mike’s professional background, he is celebrated for being Alex’s steadfast supporter and key motivator.²

• He often shares meaningful insights into Alex’s mentality, such as:

  “Alex is a fast learner, and she never gets dispirited with every loss; in fact, it makes her stronger and fiercer.”
  “She knows that if she keeps her focus on her level of play, keeps her head down, and works hard, the wins will eventually come.”

Athletic Lineage and Extended Family

• Alex is the niece of Noli Eala, former Philippine Sports Commission chair and PBA commissioner, adding another layer of sports leadership to her family heritage.

• Her brother, Michael “Miko” Eala, is also a tennis enthusiast. He competed at Pennsylvania State University from 2020 to 2024.

Also Read: Who Is Darren Cahill? Tennis Coach Bio, Wiki, Career, Relationship, Legacy And More

Family’s Role in Alex Eala’s Rise

Early Beginnings and Training Decision

• Alex started playing tennis early. Her family recognized her potential and supported her training moves. This includes relocating to Spain to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she grew under world-class development.³

• She earned a scholarship after winning the prestigious Les Petits As tournament and moved to Spain at age 13. Her success is a tribute to the strong foundation set by her parents — as Alex herself credits them:

  “Of course, my family should take credit for the foundation that they laid out before they sent me here.”

ALEX EALA 🇵🇭 WILL PLAY THE WTA 250 SAO PAULO 🇧🇷 ON HARD COURTS, WHICH TAKES PLACE FROM SEPTEMBER 8TH TO 14TH!

ALEXANDRA WILL BE THE NUMBER 3 SEED IN THE TOURNAMENT. pic.twitter.com/vrPdTr1Nwp

— 🇵🇭 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗫 𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗔 👑 🅽🅴🆆🆂 (@EalaAlexandra) August 13, 2025

Emotional Support and Motivation

• Alex often speaks about her parents’ emotional support. After a career milestone at the 2025 Miami Open, she expressed heartfelt thanks:

  “Mom, Dad, I did it… My god!”

• After upsetting top players like Madison Keys and Iga Świątek, she dedicated her breakthroughs to her parents.

• Their presence remains a constant, whether celebrating trophies or comforting during losses.⁴

Statistics Table: Alex Eala’s Key Family & Career Highlights

 

FAQs

Q1: Who are Alex Eala’s parents?
Alex’s mother is Rizza Maniego-Eala, a former SEA Games medalist and corporate CFO. Her father is Mike Eala, Alex’s dedicated supporter and guiding force.⁵

Q2: What did Rizza achieve in sports and business?
She won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1985 SEA Games and later served as CFO of Globe Telecom, earning recognition as one of Asia’s top CFOs.

Q3: What role does Mike Eala play in Alex’s journey?
Mike is Alex’s emotional bedrock. He guides and motivates her, instilling focus, resilience, and positive perspective in her tennis journey.

Q4: Who else in the family is athletic?
Alex’s brother Miko competed in tennis at Penn State University, and her uncle, Noli Eala, played a major role in Philippine sports administration.

Q5: How did the family support Alex’s training?
They enabled her to attend Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, ensuring a balanced path of elite training and education while maintaining strong emotional support.

Q6: Have Alex’s parents appeared in media or tournaments?
Yes. They were present alongside her when she posed with her runner-up trophy at the Eastbourne Open ahead of Wimbledon 2025.

 

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Conclusion

Alex Eala’s meteoric rise in professional tennis is propelled not just by her talent, but by a family foundation steeped in athletic achievement, corporate acumen, and unwavering emotional support.

Her mother’s discipline and leadership, her father’s encouragement, and her extended family’s sporting legacy form the backbone of Alex’s ascent.

They ensured she had the opportunities—like training at an elite academy—she needed, while also staying grounded and supported emotionally.

Their actions exemplify how balanced family support can foster resilience, focus, and success in high-performance sports.

As Alex continues to blaze trails on the global tennis stage, her parents—Mike and Rizza—remain a powerful and humble testament to what behind-the-scenes support truly means.

Also Read: Bjorn Borg Opens Up about Son Leo Borg’s Rejection on his Tennis Advice

1. zalora
2. newsweek
3. en.wikipedia.org
4. profootballnetwork
5. tennistonic