Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala returns to Singapore this week to compete in the Singapore Tennis Open, the largest women’s tournament in Southeast Asia, held from September 21 to 27 at The Kallang. At 21 years old, Eala’s connection to Singapore runs deep, dating back to when she was 11 and first participated in the WTA Future Stars tournament, an event for junior players from the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions held alongside the WTA Finals.
Eala was among the youngest invited to the Future Stars program, which provided emerging talent the chance to train with and learn from tennis greats like Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati, and Yayuk Basuki. She received the Li Na Inspiration Award at the time, recognizing her spirit and sportsmanship. Reflecting on the experience, Eala expressed fondness for the memories she made in Singapore, including meeting notable figures such as Judy Murray.
Since her early exposure to the sport, Eala has achieved substantial success, highlighted by her breakthrough summer 2026 season. She advanced to the round of 16 at Wimbledon for the first time and claimed her inaugural WTA title in Washington. Along the way, she recorded wins against top-ranked players including former No. 1 Iga Swiatek, current No. 1 Elena Rybakina, and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula. Currently ranked No. 18 in the world, Eala is the highest-ranked Filipina and Southeast Asian woman in tennis history, surpassing predecessors Basuki and Tamarine Tanasugarn, both of whom peaked at No. 19.
Eala emphasized her affection for playing in Southeast Asia, describing the region’s cultural familiarity and shared identity as meaningful to her. She noted the significance of returning to Singapore, where she has competed since childhood. This year, her commitment to the Singapore Open led her to decline flag-bearer duties for the Philippines at the Asian Games opening ceremony, underscoring the tournament’s priority in her schedule.
On court, Eala is known for her tenacity and resilience, often facing more powerful opponents with a gritty baseline game and a fearless approach. Her competitive edge is partly attributed to unconventional early training conditions. Introduced to tennis by her grandfather, she practiced on makeshift courts, including one featuring a basketball pole positioned just behind the baseline, limiting her ability to retreat far from the net. These constraints, she believes, helped shape her aggressive style and willingness to meet opponents head-on.
Following the Singapore Open, Eala will travel to Japan to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games. Choosing national duty over the China Open—a top-tier WTA event—she accepted potential fines and ranking penalties for prioritizing the quadrennial multi-sport event. She described the Asian Games as a unique opportunity she felt compelled to embrace, having previously earned medals at the SEA Games and Asiad.
Off the court, Eala advocates for growing tennis accessibility in the region. She praised the Singapore Open’s recent initiative to offer more affordable early-round tickets, recognizing that reducing financial barriers can help broaden the sport’s fan base. For Eala, expanding tennis’s reach among Filipinos and Southeast Asians remains a central goal as she continues to make strides on the international stage.