Alex Eala sets new career-high No. 29 ranking ahead of Miami Open return

Alex Eala broke into the world's Top 30 players for the first time in her young career after reaching a new personal-best mark of No. 29 in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday. 

The Filipina tennis sensation leaped three spots higher following her debut appearance at the WTA1000 Indian Wells Open last week, where she reached the Round of 16. 

Eala opened her Indian Wells campaign with a bye in the opening round before escaping Dayana Yastremska in the Round of 64. The 20-year-old Pinay ace then clinched a first victory over Coco Gauff after the American bet retired injured in their Round of 32 clash. 

But Eala fell to Linda Noskova in the Round of 16 to bow out of contention.

READ MORE | Alex Eala’s World Ranking in 2026: Week-by-week ranking 

The new mark came just days before Alex Eala returns to the Miami Open stage, the same tournament that ignited her rapid rise on the WTA Tour following a stellar run last year.

Eala is expected to kick off her campaign on Thursday as she looks to repeat — or even eclipse — her 2025 run. Back then, she emerged as the first Filipina to defeat Top-10 players after stunning Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News