Alexandra Eala Reaches Career-High No. 31 in WTA Rankings After Strong Dubai Run

Alexandra Eala celebrates a point during her breakthrough run at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in 2026 – photo courtesy of WTA.

Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala has reached a new milestone in her professional career after climbing to a career-high World No. 31 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.

The 20-year-old athlete jumped 16 places in the latest rankings with 1,432 points, following a strong showing at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, one of the tour’s prestigious WTA 1000 events.

Eala’s rise was fueled by impressive victories over higher-ranked opponents, including top-10 player Jasmine Paolini and experienced tour competitor Sorana Cirstea. Her run ended in the quarterfinals against world No. 4 Coco Gauff, but the result earned her valuable ranking points and strengthened her position among the world’s top players.

The Dubai campaign added 205 important ranking points to her total. The boost pushed her into the top 35 for the first time and now to No. 31 — the highest ranking ever achieved by a Filipina in WTA singles history.

So far in 2026, Eala holds a 10–6 win-loss record and has earned nearly $292,000 in prize money for the season. Her improved ranking has also secured her first career seeding at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament, giving her a favorable position in one of tennis’ biggest events outside the Grand Slams.

Eala trains at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, where she continues to sharpen her skills on the global stage. Since turning professional in 2020, she has steadily climbed the rankings through consistent performances and growing confidence against top-tier competition. Her transition to the professional tour, where she has become a genuine box-office draw on the WTA circuit, has been closely followed by Filipino fans at home and abroad.

Her latest achievement highlights the growing presence of Filipino talent in international sports. It also reflects how her climb into the Top 100 — making her the highest-ranked Filipina tennis player in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour history — did not happen in isolation, but alongside a growing and confident Filipino audience that sees itself represented on the global stage. For many young athletes in the Philippines, Eala’s rise shows that dedication and world-class training can open doors to the highest levels of competition.

With major tournaments ahead this season, Filipino fans — including the Filipino diaspora in action supporting her during international tournaments — will be watching closely to see how far she can climb next.

Read more inspiring and uplifting stories about Filipino excellence in sports and beyond on GoodNewsPilipinas.com.