Alex Eala's Historic Breakthrough: Her Rise to the Top 20 and the Racquet She Plays
Serving Aces
In August 2026, Alex Eala became the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour title. She won the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, a WTA 500 event, coming from a set down to beat world No. 3 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the final.
The win took her into the world's top 20 for the first time, the highest ranking ever reached by a Southeast Asian woman. It also capped a season in which she kept setting firsts for Philippine tennis. Here's how she got there, what club players can learn from her, and a look at the racquet she plays with.
Her 2026 season at a glance
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| March | Reached the last 16 at Indian Wells and Miami, and a career-high ranking of No. 29 |
| June | Won the Birmingham Open on grass, her second WTA 125 title |
| July | Reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, the first Filipina to make the last 16 of a Grand Slam, beating defending champion Iga Swiatek on Centre Court along the way |
| August | Won her first WTA Tour title at the Mubadala Citi DC Open and broke into the top 20 |
| September | Her best US Open: the third round as the 17th seed, losing 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to Iva Jovic in just over three hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium |
How she got here
Eala was born in Quezon City in 2005 and moved to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca as a 12-year-old. As a junior she won the 2022 US Open girls' singles title.
Her breakout on the senior tour came in 2025. At the Miami Open she beat Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek on her way to the semi-finals, then reached the final at Eastbourne on grass. Later that year she became the first Filipino player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam main draw match, at the US Open, and won her first WTA 125 title.
2026 didn't go in a straight line. After her best start to a season, her ranking slipped back into the 40s once her points from Miami 2025 dropped off, and the clay season was a struggle. Then came Birmingham, Wimbledon and Washington, three of the biggest results of her career in the space of about two months.
What club players can take from her rise
A set down is not a match lost
She lost the first set of her biggest final, then won the next two 6-4, 6-0. When you drop a set, change one thing, whether that's your return position, your rally target or the pace you play at, rather than trying harder at the same plan.
Progress isn't a straight line
Her ranking went down before it went up, and so will your results. Judge your game over a season, not a weekend.
Climb one level at a time
Eala won at WTA 125 level before she won a WTA 500. For club players, that means winning at your current grade before chasing the next one. Confidence built at one level carries into the next.
Use what makes you different
She's left-handed, and lefties get angles that right-handers don't see often. If you're a lefty at club level, the slice serve out wide on the advantage side is your best friend. If you're not, work out what your version of that is and build points around it.
Alex Eala's racquet
Eala is a long-time Babolat player and uses a Babolat Pure Aero, the same racquet line she has played with since she was a junior. Like most tour players, her frames are likely customised to her own specs, so think of the Pure Aero as the family to start from rather than an exact match.
The Pure Aero is built for spin. An aerodynamic frame helps you swing faster, and an open string pattern lets the strings grip the ball. Here's how the current range breaks down:
- Pure Aero 100: the main model, for intermediate and advanced players who want easy spin and power. See the Pure Aero 100.
- Pure Aero 98: a smaller head and more control, for fast swingers. See the Pure Aero 98.
- Pure Aero Team and Lite: lighter versions for players who want the same feel with less weight to swing. See the Pure Aero Team.
- Pure Aero Junior 25 and 26: for young players who want to play with the same racquet as Alex. See the Pure Aero Junior 25.
Browse the full Babolat Pure Aero range. Pure Aero players usually pair it with a spin-friendly polyester string. Our guide to tennis strings explains the options, and our stringers can set yours up in store.
Quick questions
Who is Alex Eala?
Alexandra "Alex" Eala is a Filipina professional tennis player, born in Quezon City in 2005. She won the 2022 US Open girls' singles title and became the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour title at the 2026 Mubadala Citi DC Open.
What racquet does Alex Eala use?
She plays with a Babolat Pure Aero. Her tour frames are likely customised to her own specifications.
How high is Alex Eala ranked?
She broke into the WTA top 20 for the first time in August 2026 and was ranked No. 18 at the US Open, the highest ranking ever reached by a Southeast Asian woman.
Is Alex Eala left-handed?
Yes. She plays left-handed with a two-handed backhand.
Has Alex Eala won a WTA title?
Yes. Her first WTA Tour title came at the 2026 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, a WTA 500 event, where she beat Jessica Pegula in the final. She has also won two WTA 125 titles.