Alex Eala soars to career-high WTA No. 49, eyes Donna Vekić Rematch at Kooyong Classic before Australian Open

Alex Eala reaches new career-high WTA No. 49, to have rematch against Donna Vekic in Kooyong Classic ahead of Australian Open. 

Alex Eala’s Australian swing continues to gather momentum, and her next stop is less about ranking points and more about rhythm, confidence, and unfinished business.

Fresh off a semifinal run at the ASB Classic in Auckland, the Filipina standout has arrived in Melbourne for the 2026 Kooyong Classic, an invitation-only exhibition that traditionally acts as a final dress rehearsal before the Australian Open. 

Scheduled from January 13 to 15, the event offers elite players a rare chance to sharpen their games under competitive conditions—without the pressure of the WTA points race.

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WAY TO GO, ALEX

Alex Eala’s 2026 campaign is off to a strong start as the Filipina tennis ace climbs to a new career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 49 after her impressive run at the ASB Classic in Auckland.#AlexEala #WTA pic.twitter.com/dtOI2SDq3Y

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 12, 2026

For Eala, Kooyong carries an added layer of intrigue. She is set to face Croatia’s Donna Vekić on January 14 in an exhibition rematch that revisits their recent encounter in Auckland, where Eala sent the former world No. 19 packing in the opening round. 

The matchup provides a familiar benchmark as Eala fine-tunes her form ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne.

The timing could hardly be better. Entering Kooyong, Eala has climbed to a career-high No. 49 in the WTA rankings, a milestone that reflects her steady rise and growing consistency on tour. Rather than chasing points, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum and adapting to Melbourne’s conditions before the Australian Open main draw begins.

While Kooyong does not carry official WTA status, its role on the calendar is well-established. The singles-only exhibition draws a select group of ATP and WTA players looking for match play and visibility ahead of the Slam. Alongside Eala and Vekić, the 2026 field includes Australian world No. 121 Priscilla Hon and multiple Grand Slam mixed doubles champion Daniela Hantuchova.

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