Eala moves up to career-high 136th spot in WTA ranking

Sports

FILIPINO tennis sensation Alex Eala achieved what is by far her highest ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

In the latest list released on Monday, January 13, the 19-year-old Eala moved up to 136th, climbing two rungs higher from her ranking to start the year.

Eala has already participated in two tournaments this year and although she failed to win a title in all occasions, she still earned points enough for her to move up in the rankings.

"Step by step, always appreciate a new career-high," Eala said in a social media post.

Eala suffered an early exit after she dropped her opening assignment in the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers, but still got 533 points after making it to the semifinal round in the WTA Canberra tournament early this year.

With her current placing in the WTA list, Eala is the highest ranking Southeast Asian so far, besting her regional rival Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand (532), who is at 137th.

Comprising the Top 5 in the list are Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (9,656), Poland’s Iga Swiatek (8,120), USA’s Coco Gauff (6,888), Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (5,399), and China’s Qinwen Zheng (5,325).

It was in the second week of December 2024 that Eala managed to break into the the world’s Top 150 netters as she landed at No. 149 spot before zooming to her current career-high ranking.

A five-time ITF singles and three-time doubles champion, Eala is seeking an elusive first victory in WTA. She has been seeing action in major competitions, including four Grand Slams that saw her almost making it to the main draw of US Open, Wimbledon and Roland Garros.(CCM)