Alex Eala secures wild card spot in Abu Dhabi Open main draw

Published January 23, 2026 10:24am

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2026 Philippines' Alexandra Eala reacts during her first round match against Alycia Parks of the U.S. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Alexandra “Alex” Eala has secured a spot in the main draw of the Abu Dhabi Open after receiving a wild card entry.

The Filipina was initially listed as a qualifier, but the WTA 500 tournament confirmed her inclusion in the main draw on Thursday.

The Abu Dhabi Open will take place immediately after the Philippine Women’s Open, which runs from January 26 to 31.

Also featured in the main draw are Jelena Ostapenko, Leylah Fernandez, Victoria Mboko, and defending champion Belinda Bencic.

Eala has been on a busy run to start the year. She opened her season at the ASB Classic, where she reached the semifinals, followed that up by being named as champion in the Kooyong Classic, and then made her main draw debut at the Australian Open.

She has since arrived in Manila for the country’s first WTA 125 tournament, where she was also granted a wild card entry.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News

Tags: Alex Eala, Abu Dhabi Open