Backed by ‘Kababayan’ support, Alex Eala reloads for Dubai challenge 

Alex Eala’s Doha campaign may have ended earlier than hoped, but her momentum as a rising force on the WTA Tour remains very much intact — powered, once again, by the unwavering presence of Filipinos abroad.

After her opening-round loss at the Qatar Open, the 22-year-old Filipina was greeted by a familiar and comforting scene: a sea of smiling kababayans waiting patiently for photos, autographs, and a few heartfelt words. It was a reminder that even in defeat, she is never alone on this journey.

“I am immensely grateful for the people who continuously show up for me and the sport. You all inspire me everyday,” Eala said after meeting fans at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

“Salamat mga kababayan. Talo tayo ngayon pero tuloy pa rin ang laban. Babawi tayo sa susunod.”

That next chance comes quickly. Eala now makes a U-turn back to the United Arab Emirates, this time bound for the Dubai Tennis Championships from February 15 to 21, carrying renewed belief after an encouraging run in Abu Dhabi and a season that continues to trend upward.

Her Doha setback came via a 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 loss to Czech teenager Tereza Valentova, marking the second straight defeat against the 18-year-old after their meeting in last year’s Japan Women’s Open. Still, the result did little to dull what has been a breakthrough start to 2026.

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Apart from her Abu Dhabi tilt, Alex Eala is also set to compete at the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships, where she is listed as a qualifier.

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Despite the early exit, Eala climbed to a career-high WTA No. 40 with 1,244 points, snapping together strong performances across multiple stops. She also cracked new ground in doubles, rising to No. 99 following a semifinal finish at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open alongside Indonesia’s Janice Tjen.

That Abu Dhabi campaign also saw Eala reach the singles quarterfinals — a continuation of her deep runs that included a Last-8 finish at the WTA125 Philippine Women’s Open and a semifinal appearance at the WTA250 ASB Classic in Auckland.

Add in a main-draw debut at the Australian Open and a Kooyong Classic exhibition title in Melbourne, and Eala’s season has already been packed with milestones.

After Dubai, her schedule only gets bigger. The Filipina heads to the United States for a high-profile swing that includes Indian Wells from March 4 to 15, followed by the Miami Open from March 17 to 29 — a venue that holds special meaning after her breakout run there against elite names like Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko, and Madison Keys.

For now, Eala takes a brief pause after two relentless months on tour, recharging with bigger goals in mind. With confidence, crowd support, and ranking momentum on her side, the climb toward the Top 30 — and beyond — feels less like a dream and more like a matter of time.

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