Another record-breaking achievement for the tennis star.
On Monday, February 9 (Manila time), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) refreshed its global ranking.
Fresh from her stint at the Mubdala Abu Dhabi Open in the United Arab Emirates in the past week, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala scored another achievement.
While she bowed out of the tournament’s singles event in the quarterfinals and semifinals in the doubles (with her Indonesian partner Janice Tjen), the 20-year-old was able to make another career-high placement in the list.
Previously announced to be world number 45, she is now the new world number 40—breaking into the Top 40 for the first time ever, as well as reaching a new career-best.
The news comes as she just recently flown into Doha for the Qatar Open 2026, which had already begun on Sunday, February 8.
Eala will be facing Tereza Valentova in the round of 64 of the said WTA 1000 open on Monday evening (Manila time).
That would be a rematch between the Filipina and Czech players, wbk previously fought against each other at the Japan Women’s Open in October 2025, where the former lost.
After Qatar, Alex will return to the UAE for the Dubai Open 2026 from February 15 onwards.