MANILA — Alexandra “Alex” Eala has cracked the elite tier of women’s tennis, climbing into the Top 50 of the World Tennis Association (WTA) rankings for the first time as she surged to a career-high world No. 49 in the latest list released Monday.
The breakthrough ranking underscores the 19-year-old Filipina’s steady ascent on the global tour, fueled by a semifinal finish at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, a WTA 250 event that served as her opening test of the season.
Eala entered the Auckland tournament ranked No. 53 and advanced to the final four after winning three singles matches before bowing to China’s Xinyu Wang in a hard-fought three-set semifinal.
The jump eclipsed her previous career-best ranking of No. 50, achieved late in the 2025 season, and further cements her status as the Philippines’ top women’s tennis player.
Her Auckland campaign marked the third time Eala has reached the semifinals of a WTA event, following similar deep runs at the Miami Open and Eastbourne Open last year.
Eala is scheduled to see action next at the Kooyong Classic from January 13 to 15 as part of her buildup to the Australian Open.
She is also set to make her main draw debut at the Melbourne Grand Slam, completing appearances in all four Grand Slam tournaments after having played at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open in 2025.
Depending on her schedule, Eala may also compete in the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open slated for late January. She and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen have been granted wildcard slots by the Philippine Tennis Association should they be available to take part in the historic home tournament./PN
