💍✨ BREAKING NEWS: Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala was spotted on a dreamy romantic getaway with her boyfriend at a stunning restaurant in Europe — and what happened next left everyone speechless.
Paris, France – 28 February 2026
The tennis world — and millions of fans across the Philippines — are still reeling from the images and videos that surfaced late last night showing 20-year-old WTA rising star Alexandra Eala in what appears to be an intimate, candle-lit dinner date at one of Paris’s most exclusive hidden-gem restaurants: Le Clarence, the two-Michelin-starred palace of gastronomy tucked inside a 19th-century mansion on Avenue Franklin-Delano-Roosevelt.
But it wasn’t the breathtaking setting, the multi-course tasting menu reportedly costing more than €450 per person, or even Eala’s elegant off-court look (a cream silk slip dress by Philippine designer Francis Libiran with delicate pearl accents) that sent social media into meltdown.
It was the moment — captured in a 17-second clip now viewed more than 42 million times — when her boyfriend quietly slid a small velvet box across the table.
Eala’s hands flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened. The restaurant’s soft piano music seemed to fade as she opened the box to reveal a delicate, vintage-inspired diamond solitaire ring estimated by jewellery experts at between €180,000 and €240,000. The young Filipino star — currently ranked world No. 78 and fresh off a career-best Australian Open third-round run — burst into tears, nodded frantically, and threw her arms around the man sitting opposite her.
The proposal was accepted.
Within minutes of the clip being uploaded by an anonymous diner (who later deleted the post after receiving death threats from over-zealous fans), #AlexEalaEngaged and #EalaProposal became the top two worldwide trends on X, TikTok and Instagram. The hashtag #PinayPrincessBride trended number one in the Philippines for more than 14 consecutive hours.
Who is the mystery fiancé?
Despite intense online sleuthing, the identity of Eala’s now-fiancé has not been officially confirmed by the couple or their representatives. However, multiple sources close to both Eala and the tennis community have independently confirmed to several Philippine and international outlets that the man in the video is Mateo Valdez, a 23-year-old Filipino-Spanish entrepreneur and amateur tennis player who has been quietly dating Eala since mid-2024.
Valdez, whose family owns a mid-sized logistics and shipping business with offices in Manila, Singapore and Barcelona, reportedly met Eala during a charity tennis event in Makati in June 2024. Friends describe him as “reserved, thoughtful, and completely uninterested in the spotlight.” He has no public social-media presence and has never been photographed at tournaments until now.
One close friend of the couple told ABS-CBN News (on condition of anonymity):
“Mateo has been to almost every match Alex has played in Europe and Asia over the last 18 months, but he always sits in the very last row, wears a cap, and leaves before the players walk off court. He didn’t want anyone to think he was using her fame. Alex always said he made her feel normal — like she wasn’t ‘the tennis girl’, just Alex.”
The Paris Proposal — Every Detail We Know So Far
According to staff at Le Clarence (who spoke to French outlet Le Figaro on condition of anonymity due to client privacy rules), the couple had booked the private upstairs salon “La Petite Bibliothèque” — a wood-panelled room lined with rare books and lit only by candles — under a pseudonym more than three weeks ago. The reservation was made for two, with a custom six-course tasting menu that included caviar, langoustine, Breton lobster and a signature black truffle dessert.
The proposal occurred between the fourth and fifth courses. A violinist (hired privately by Valdez) played a soft rendition of “Clair de Lune” as he got down on one knee. Eala’s reaction — visible shock followed by immediate tears and a joyful “yes” — was captured by another diner at a nearby table who discreetly filmed the moment.
The clip shows Eala laughing through tears as Valdez slides the ring onto her finger, then kissing her hand repeatedly. They hugged for nearly 40 seconds while the small staff and handful of other guests gave polite, restrained applause — a rare breach of Le Clarence’s ultra-discreet atmosphere.
A Love Story That Began on the Court
Eala and Valdez reportedly first crossed paths at a corporate charity tennis day in Manila. Valdez, a competent club-level player, was invited as a guest of one of the sponsors. He and Eala were paired for a mixed doubles exhibition match. According to people who attended, Valdez spent most of the match trying not to stare at Eala — and failing miserably. After the match, he worked up the courage to ask for a photo. She said yes, then asked if he wanted to hit a few balls the next morning at her training court.
What began as casual hitting sessions quickly turned into daily texts, long phone calls during Eala’s tournament travel, and eventually weekend visits whenever their schedules aligned. Eala has never hidden her relationship but has always kept it extremely private — no red-carpet appearances, no joint interviews, no paparazzi shots. The Paris proposal marks the first time the public has seen them together in such an openly romantic setting.
Public and Social-Media Reaction
The Philippines has erupted in collective joy. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posted a congratulatory message on Facebook: “A beautiful moment for a beautiful Pinay. Congratulations to Alex and Matteo — may your love story inspire the next generation.” Actress Liza Soberano, a longtime friend of Eala, wrote: “My heart is so full. You deserve every happiness in the world, Alex.”
Tennis stars around the globe joined the celebration:
Iga Świątek: “Alex!!! This is the cutest thing ever. Sending you both all the love 💍❤️” Carlos Alcaraz: “Congrats hermanita! You and Matteo look perfect together 🔥” Emma Raducanu: “Screaming!!! The ring is stunning and the moment is even more beautiful. Love you Alex!” Jannik Sinner: “Big congrats to Alex and Matteo. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness ❤️”
Even retired legends weighed in. Rafael Nadal posted a simple photo of his own wedding ring with the caption: “The best victory of all. Felicidades Alexandra y Matteo.”
In the Philippines, where Eala has become a national icon and role model for young girls, the news has sparked an outpouring of pride. Billboards in Quezon City and Manila have already been updated with fan-made “Congrats Alex & Matteo” graphics. Schools in her hometown of Quezon City declared today a “celebration day” for students to share messages of support.
What’s Next for Eala?
Eala, who turned 20 in May 2025, is currently ranked world No. 78 — her career high — and is widely expected to crack the top 50 by the end of 2026. She is entered in Indian Wells and Miami, and has committed to playing the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers for the Philippines in April.
Her management team (CAA) has confirmed that acting and modelling opportunities remain secondary to her tennis career. The upcoming film Echo Point (co-starring Chris Hemsworth) is still on schedule, but Eala’s priority is competing at Roland-Garros in May and defending her points at the US Open in September.
As for the wedding? Sources close to the couple say no date has been set, but a small, private ceremony in the Philippines — likely in late 2027 or early 2028 — is the current plan so Eala can focus on her tennis peak years.
For now, the image that has captured the world’s heart is simple yet unforgettable: a young Filipina tennis star, tears of joy in her eyes, accepting a ring from the man who has quietly loved her through every match, every loss, every triumph.
In a sport — and a world — that often feels relentless, Alexandra Eala reminded everyone that love can still win the biggest points of all.
And somewhere in Dubai, an 11-year-old boy named Liam is smiling at his signed racquet, knowing that sometimes dreams really do come true — even for the heroes we cheer for from afar.
