Eala hits new career-high No. 45 world ranking

The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts on a point to Russia’s Alina Charaeva during their women’s singles match at the Philippine Women’s Open tennis tournament in Manila on January 26, 2026.

Ted Aljibe / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala roared and soared to a new-career best at WTA No. 45 after a solid start to her 2026 campaign marked by a couple of playoff stints.

Eala, up for spots from No. 49, gained 11 more points to climb to 1163 points, thanks to a Final Four finish in the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand and a main draw debut in the Australian Open.

The Filipina pride also claimed the exhibition title in Melbourne’s Kooyong Classic and reached the quarterfinals of the Philippine Women’s Open, her first-ever professional tournament at home.

Eala, at her own turf, bowed to eventual champion Camila Osorio, also up from No. 84 to No. 80, in the Last 8 with a 6-4, 6-4 loss but the bigger feat was bringing the WTA to her fans and fellow Filipina tennis aspirants for the first time ever.