MANILA – Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala capped her remarkable 2025 campaign with a historic breakthrough, breaking into the Top 50 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world rankings — a first for a homegrown Filipina player.
The 20-year-old Eala climbed one spot to world No. 50 after reaching the Round of 16 at the Hong Kong Open, solidifying her status as one of Asia’s fastest-rising tennis stars. Despite falling to eventual champion Victoria Mboko in a grueling three-set duel, Eala’s consistent performances throughout the year propelled her to a new career-high.
Her steady rise — from No. 54 in early October to No. 50 — was fueled by strong showings in higher-tier WTA tournaments, where she faced and held her own against seasoned international players. The milestone also ensures Eala’s direct entry into Grand Slam main draws and top-tier WTA events in 2026, signaling a new era for Philippine tennis.
Before focusing on the 2026 season, Eala will banner the national team in the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand this December.
Meanwhile, the Filipina ace expressed excitement over the proposed staging of the WTA 125 Manila Open in January 2026, describing it as a “major step forward” for local tennis.
“Growing up, we never had this kind of tournaments. As long as I can remember, we never had any 15K or a professional international tournament. So to come in with a (WTA) 125 would be such a big step and I’m proud of how far we’ve come,” said Eala.
“If it were to happen, I would be so, so happy and it would be such a milestone for Philippine tennis. Not just obviously for me but for everybody there,” she added. “The fact that they’re taking a step and we’re taking action is something I’m so proud of and excited to see evolve.”/PN
