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Alex Eala will walk away from her 2026 Lexus Birmingham Open triumph not only with the championship trophy but also a lot of positives.
After Nikola Bartunkova’s forehand sailed over the baseline to secure championship point for Alex Eala at the 2026 Lexus Birmingham Open, the young Filipina brought her hands to her head and let out a big smile.
It was perhaps equal parts relief and joy, after a grueling 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 championship match that saw Eala drop the first set after leading 5-4, getting broken on the first game of the second set, and unable to close out the third while serving for the match at 5-4.
And even in the 12th game of the deciding set, Bartunkova threatened to send it to a tiebreak. Eala had to fight off four break points before finally pulling through.
“It was a really tight moment and I knew that if I didn’t go for it, Nikki would go for it and it’s one of those days where a little bit of luck and intention was what got me through,” Eala said during the trophy ceremony.
As always, she tipped her hat to the Filipino community who once again came out in full force for her matches.
“It’s incredibly special and I like to say that home is a people and not a place. Maraming salamat sa supporta. Ang dami ninyo ngayon. Maraming, maraming salamat.”
More than the prize money (around $33,000) and the precious WTA ranking points (125), Alex’s Birmingham victory came with some other positive consequences.
Silencing the critics
You could almost hear the critics simultaneously coming out of the social media woodwork after Alex lost her first round match at Roland Garros several days ago. That came on the heels of a disappointing clay court season where she failed to move past the last 32 in any clay court tournament.
Alex reached the Round of 16 in two very tough WTA 1000 events earlier in the year, including in the Miami Open where she had made a magical run to the semifinals the year before. But if you looked at the comments of the armchair coaches online, you’d think she hadn’t achieved anything.
Those critics were wrong, of course, since they somehow expect Alex Eala to win every tournament she joins. Professional tennis just doesn’t work that way. Just ask Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka how their 2026 French Open turned out. Also keep in mind that she lost in the first round of this tournament just last year.
Alex already won her first WTA 125 title last year in Guadalajara, so she’s already a WTA tour winner. Let’s just get that out of the way. But this one in Birmingham somehow resonates just a little stronger, and will undoubtedly give her a huge boost, especially with the big one on grass coming up.
Momentum for Wimbledon
There will be no rest for the weary as Alex Eala immediately plunges into action on June 9 in the 2026 Queen’s Club Championships, one of the top warm-up grass tournaments before Wimbledon. She will face qualifier Zhang Shuai in the Round of 32 and possibly French Open conqueror and good friend Iva Jovic in the next round.
It’s a pretty tough tournament. Aside from Jovic, world no. 2 Rybakina is playing, as is Victoria Mboko, Leylah Fernandez, and Emma Raducanu.
The big prize on grass, of course, is Wimbledon, the most prestigious Grand Slam of all. Alex lost in the first round of her Wimbledon debut last year, but not before pushing no. 17 seed Barbora Kerjcikova to three sets, and the previous year she didn’t get through the qualifiers.
She will presumably get a more favorable first round draw this year and avoid a seeded player given her consistent top 40 ranking, and that combined with her win at Birmingham could give her a big boost.
Part of an impressive honor roll
With her win, Alex Eala joins a very impressive list of former champions at the Birmingham Open. They include Maude Watson, Billie Jean King, Pam Shriver, Martina Navratilova, Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova.
Eala said she was truly honored to be included in this elite group, even as she recognizes that she’s still oceans away from the achievements of all those greats.
“It sounds really beautiful,” she said. “Of course, all those names that you’ve mentioned are tennis greats and I am so honored to be lifting this trophy today, but lifting this trophy does not mean that I will be among the greats yet.
“So I’m motivated to keep working and I’m grateful for the part that this trophy has played in my journey.”
Banner images from LTA Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alex Eala defeated Nikola Bartunkova 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 in the 2026 Lexus Birmingham Open final. Eala saved four break points in the deciding game of the third set before closing out the match, overcoming a rocky first set to claim the title.
Alex Eala has won two WTA 125 titles. Her first came in Guadalajara in 2025, and her second at the 2026 Lexus Birmingham Open, where she defeated Bartunkova in three sets. Both titles mark significant milestones in her developing WTA career.
Past Birmingham Open champions include Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, Ana Ivanovic, and Maria Sharapova. Eala acknowledged the honor while noting she still considers herself far from the level of those tennis greats.
Eala is scheduled to compete at the 2026 Queen’s Club Championships starting June 9, where she faces qualifier Zhang Shuai in the first round. The field also includes world no. 2 Elena Rybakina, Leylah Fernandez, and Emma Raducanu.
The Birmingham Open is a WTA 125 grasscourt event played directly before the Wimbledon grass swing, making it a meaningful form and confidence builder. Eala’s consistent top-40 ranking and the title should also give her a more favorable draw at Wimbledon than in her debut last year.