Nov 9, 2026
Eala ends ‘fairytale season’ as world No. 15
PHILIPPINE tennis trailblazer Alexandra “Alex” Eala ended the 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) season with a career-best rank of No. 15.
Eala, who described her 2026 season as a “fairytale” one with a “fairytale ending,” officially clinched the No. 15 spot on Monday in the latest WTA rankings.
Climbing two spots from No. 17 with 2,289 points last week, Eala now sports 2,392 following her runner-up finish at the 250 Hong Kong Open Sunday.
Eala yielded to American and world No. 69 Claire Liu in the final, 3-6, 0-6, at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, where she expressed gratitude to the fans.
“I mean, wrapping up this year, you guys do not know how much meaning you add on top of what I do and how much of a pleasure it is to go about my life sharing these moments with you all. So I’m forever grateful,” said Eala in her post-match speech, addressing the crowd.
Eala went on to thank her family and coaching staff for the journey they went through, seeing her make a historic Wimbledon fourth-round finish last July and win her first main Tour title at the 500 DC Open last August.
The 21-year-old made a 35-notch leap from last season where she finished at No. 50.
“Last but not least, my team, my parents, my brother Miko, my coach Joan (Bosch), and my two other coaches, Lluc (Bauza) and Sandro (Viaene). Yeah, this season has just, it’s changed my life. It’s changed my life for the better,” said the emotional Eala.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve put in this year, and we’re the only ones who truly know what it took to arrive at this point in our journey. So thank you so, so much. Congratulations. This is only the beginning. And this one, like all of them, is ours. So congratulations. Thank you, everyone.”
Surreal
Eala said it’s surreal to finish the season as top 15.
“Oh, it’s insane. It’s insane. Like, I didn’t, I don’t know, I did not know that was in the cards for me. To end the year at No. 15. It’s crazy,” said Eala.
“I think there are, there are much more than 15 people in this room, you know, so, you know, it’s like this whole season and just to top it off with ending the year in 15. It’s like dreams are only dreams until they’re not, right. So that’s how I feel.”
With no more tournaments for the rest of the year, Eala said she will take her time to rest.
“Oh, I’m going to spend time with my family. Yeah, just lay low, disappear for a little bit. And then yeah, those are my plans. Just to disappear.”
