FILIPINA tennis star Alex Eala has reached another career milestone, breaking into the Top 50 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings for the first time.
The 20-year-old Eala climbed one spot to World No. 50 following her strong showing at the WTA 250 Hong Kong Open, where she reached the Round of 16.
The former Rafael Nadal Academy scholar defeated Great Britain’s World No. 79 Katie Boulter before bowing to Canada’s Victoria Mboko, the world’s No. 21 player, in a tight three-set battle.
Eala’s rise capped a remarkable 2025 season in which she posted a 40–26 win–loss record, highlighted by a semifinal finish at the Miami Open and a WTA 125 title victory at the Guadalajara Open.
These performances have solidified her reputation as one of the brightest young talents in women’s tennis.
After a demanding year on tour, Eala is taking a brief rest before turning her focus to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand this December.
Her father, Michael Eala, confirmed that she will compete in the women’s singles’ event, aiming to bring home another gold for the Philippines.
