Alex Eala hits WTA Top 50, now sets sights on SEA Games glory for the Philippines

Fresh from making history as the first Filipina to break into the WTA Top 50, Alex Eala is proving that her global rise doesn’t come at the expense of her national pride. 

The 20-year-old tennis sensation, who now sits at a career-best world No. 50, is setting her sights on the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December.

“SEA Games is in my plans. It’s definitely in my plans,” Eala said after bowing out in the round of 16 at the Hong Kong Open to Canada’s Victoria Mboko, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The milestone marks the latest chapter in what has been a career-defining year for the Filipina ace. Eala’s steady rise through the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour has been nothing short of spectacular — from a semifinal run at the Miami Open to clinching her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara, Mexico, she’s become the face of Philippine tennis on the world stage.

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CONGRATULATIONS ALEX!

Alex Eala has reached a new career-high at WTA #50

The first Filipina into the WTA Top 50 rankings

Alex Eala IG, WTA Site pic.twitter.com/Siwl8GAbmb

— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) November 3, 2025

Her momentum also saw her notch a historic main draw victory at the US Open, defeating Denmark’s Clara Tauson to secure the Philippines’ first-ever singles win in a Grand Slam.

“It’s really amazing. The target I had to end the year was to make the top 100 and that was kind of like pushing it. We got past it by a mile,” Eala shared. “I’m confident that my team has planned and we’ll plan accordingly and I’m here to give it my all and I’ll do my best to get better.”

Eala has been representing the Philippines since her junior years, debuting at the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi where she won three bronze medals in singles, mixed doubles, and team events. She continued that success in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, bringing home two more bronzes for the country.

Now, with more experience and momentum than ever, she’s expected to be one of Team Philippines’ best bets for gold in Thailand.

Beyond her personal goals, Eala has also been vocal about her hopes for the growth of Philippine tennis — particularly with talks underway to bring a WTA 125 tournament to Manila next year.

“If it were to happen, I would be so, so happy, and it’s just such a milestone for Philippine tennis,” she said. “Not just obviously for me but for everybody there because growing up, we never had these kinds of tournaments… to come in with a 125 is such a big step, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.”

For Eala, breaking barriers on the world stage is only part of the mission. Her eyes remain fixed on representing the country that molded her — and inspiring the next generation of Filipino athletes to dream beyond boundaries.

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