Filipino Tennis Star Alex Eala Enters WTA Top 50

Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala has reached a historic milestone, breaking into the Top 50 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings for the first time in her career. At just 20 years old, the rising star continues to make waves in the international tennis scene despite a few recent setbacks.

In the latest WTA rankings released Monday, Eala climbed from No. 51 to No. 50. This boost came even after an early exit at the WTA 250 Hong Kong Open, where she advanced to the second round following a retirement by British player Katie Boulter. Eala then fell in a three-set match against third seed and eventual champion Victoria Mboko of Canada, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Reflecting on her Hong Kong campaign, Eala shared on Instagram, “I enjoyed every minute I spent on court. Everything from the fight to the fans was something to remember, and will hold a special place in my memories. Thank you, Hong Kong.”

2025 has been a breakthrough year for Eala, who began the season ranked No. 138. Her remarkable run at the Miami Open, where she reached the semi-finals by defeating top players including Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek, catapulted her into the Top 75 by March. She continued her momentum with a first WTA final at the Lexus Eastbourne Open in July and claimed her maiden WTA singles title at the Guadalajara Open, a WTA 125 event, in September.

With her professional season concluded, Eala is set to return to the Philippine national team for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. In the 2021 edition in Vietnam, she won two bronze medals in women’s singles and mixed doubles alongside Treat Huey, further cementing her status as one of the country’s brightest sports talents.