Alex Eala Breaks Into Top 70 of WTA Rankings, Youngest Asian in Elite List
Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala has achieved a new milestone in her professional career by climbing to World No. 70 in the latest WTA rankings.
This new high comes just weeks after her breakthrough performance at the Madrid Open, where Eala stunned Grand Slam champions like Jelena Ostapenko (World No. 25), Madison Keys (World No. 5), and Iga Swiatek (World No. 2). Her powerful run ended in a thrilling semifinal match against World No. 4 Jessica Pegula, but her tenacity earned praise from fans and competitors alike.
Eala broke the Top 100 barrier after Madrid, rising from No. 140 pre-tournament to No. 75 after her exit. The teen again rose to No. 72 on April 14 and climbed two notches higher on May 5 to reach her current rank. She now becomes the youngest Asian in the Top 70 and the second youngest player overall, just behind 18-year-old Russian star Mirra Andreeva (World No. 7).
After turning professional in 2020, Alex Eala reached a career-high junior ranking of World No. 2. Despite the global tournament pauses caused by the pandemic that year, she continued to compete in both junior and professional circuits. In 2022, she made history by winning the US Open Girls’ Singles title.
The 19-year-old champion from the Philippines, who will turn 20 on May 23, made history with her semifinal finish at the Miami Open in March. She has now amassed 897 points from 29 WTA tournaments ahead of her participation in the WTA 1000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. The official main draw is expected soon as the qualifying rounds continue.
