The world knows all about Alex Eala. But it should also know Miko, the older Eala who once played high‑level tennis himself.
Of course, the elder Eala is far from the spotlight, having transitioned into the corporate world rather than pursue tennis. But over the weekend, in her pre‑US Open women’s singles presser, Alex spoke glowingly of her big brother.
“I definitely benefited from being the younger sister. I have the best big brother in the world. He’s so nice,” Alex told reporters when asked whether she has benefited from having an older brother. “I will never, I will never be able to beat him in tennis. I think even if I’m like number one in the world, I’ll always have this sort of disadvantage…”
Who Is Miko Eala?
Miko Eala, Alex’s older brother, was a former tennis player himself, having played NCAA Division I tennis in the United States for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2020 to 2024. He earned Second Team All‑Big Ten honors during his collegiate career.
Like his younger sister, Miko also trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain. He eventually competed on the ITF Junior circuit, reaching a career‑high junior ranking of No. 98 in 2018. In many ways, Miko was taking the same road Alex is on now—just years earlier.
However, the older Eala sibling ultimately gave up tennis and pursued a career in the corporate world. His younger sister, of course, continued on the tennis path and is now one of the sport’s premier attractions and rising talents.
The Eala Bond
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Alex shares a tight, wonderful bond with Miko, whom she has admitted is one of the people she most looks up to. And while they live busy lives, the 21‑year‑old’s glowing words for Miko prove that she continues to look up to her big brother.
Alex even hinted that things might have been different if the roles were reversed.
“I think if I were the older sister, I don’t think I would be as nice as he is to me,” Alex said while beaming. “He’s definitely… I have to say he’s definitely the nicer one between me and him…”
But as fate would have it, Miko came first—and that may have shaped Alex in the best, most loving way possible.
