Alexandra Eala Opens 2026 Philippine Women’s Open Campaign—Home Fans Hope for Historic Title Run

Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala is back on home soil and ready to electrify Manila as the top draw of the Philippine Women’s Open 2026, opening her campaign against Russia’s Alina Charaeva in the round of 32 at the historic Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Fresh off a gritty Australian Open doubles appearance with Brazil’s Ingrid Martins that ended in a narrow first-round defeat, the 19-year-old remains upbeat, calling the Melbourne stint “valuable court time” as she continues to build ranking points early in the season. Eala’s aggressive left-handed forehand and improved first-serve percentage were bright spots in her Grand Slam tune-up and have become focal points of her evolving all-court style. HOME-COURT ENERGY Speaking to local media on the eve of the tournament, Eala stressed that she is treating the Manila event “like any other stop” on the WTA calendar despite the inevitable spotlight and sold-out tickets. “The goal is to execute my patterns and stay present,” she said, adding that family and friends in the stands are “an extra push, not a distraction”. Organizers have expanded seating to meet surging demand, underscoring her star power and the rapid growth of tennis in the Philippines. BUSY ROAD AHEAD Regardless of this week’s outcome, Eala’s schedule remains packed. Tournament director Nigel Gupta confirmed she has secured a coveted main-draw wildcard for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026, a WTA 500 event that begins 3 February, providing another chance to test herself against top-30 opposition and gain hard-court momentum before the Middle East swing. She is also expected to defend her ITF crown in Jingshan later in the spring, where she captured headlines last season with a dominant title run. RANKING WATCH Entering Manila ranked No. 67—already the highest by a Filipino in WTA history—Eala could break into the top 60 with a semifinal finish this week, an achievable feat given her favorable draw and strong hard-court record in Southeast Asia. A deep run would bolster her seeding prospects for Indian Wells and Miami, key milestones in her stated goal of reaching the top 50 before turning 20 in May. With a hometown crowd behind her, upward-trending form, and a calendar loaded with high-profile opportunities, Alexandra Eala’s 2026 campaign is gathering pace—and Philippine tennis fans are poised to ride every exhilarating moment.