Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is now in the world’s Top 50. ARCHIVE

Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala is set to compete at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open from January 31 to February 7 at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City. It will be her first appearance in the UAE since skyrocketing into the Top 50 of the women’s global rankings. The WTA 500 tournament, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, will feature 28 singles players and 16 doubles teams, with qualifying rounds beginning at 11am on January 31 and February 1. Tickets start at Dh25 via platinumlist.net. Eala, 20, has enjoyed a breakout year, climbing from No. 147 to inside the Top 50, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Filipino tennis player. “I’m so proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished. I’m also proud and grateful for my team and all the effort they’ve put in. I’m just happy they can see the results and that I get to share this happiness with them,” she told Vogue. Her rise earned her a nomination for the WTA Newcomer of the Year alongside Victoria Mboko, Iva Jovic, and Lois Boisson. Eala’s 2025 season has been packed with milestones. She won her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara, and reached her first WTA 250 final in Eastbourne, narrowly falling after holding four match points. She also achieved a career-highlight run at Miami, defeating three Grand Slam champions — Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek — all in straight sets Her semifinal match against Jessica Pegula pushed the World No. 4 to three sets (6–7, 7–5, 6–3), a performance that made Eala one of the event’s biggest stories. “It’s not typical for me to be that upbeat after a loss, but I was just so thankful,” she said. “When I sat down and looked at the crowd, there were countless Filipino flags… I felt so supported and so loved.” The Miami run also triggered a wave of sponsorships and international media attention, strengthening her position as a rising global star. “Tennis is such a beautiful sport because it keeps you grounded,” she said. “You learn to lose — because you lose almost every week. What I’ve learnt is that there will always be someone better, so I just try to be the best version of myself.” With a strong junior background — including the 2022 US Open Girls’ Singles title and a career-high junior world ranking of No. 2 — Eala’s transition into a legitimate Tour contender has solidified her status as one of Asia’s most exciting athletes. Now entering the 2025 season hungry for more, she said: “I’m hungry to do even more and to work even harder.” PIA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page Social media caption (viral-friendly): 🚨 JUST IN: Alex Eala is coming to Abu Dhabi! 🇵🇭🎾 Fresh off her rise into the world’s Top 50, the Filipina tennis star will compete at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open from Jan 31 to Feb 7! See her take on the world’s best — tickets from Dh25! #AlexEala #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen #WTA #Tennis #FilipinoPride #AbuDhabi #ZayedSportsCity #SportsNews