Sports · Tennis · 4 hrs ago
Alex Eala ends career-best 2026 season at world No. 15
Filipino tennis player Alex Eala ended her 2026 season with a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open.
The 21-year-old lost the final 6-3, 6-0 to Claire Liu, missing out on a second career title.
Her season included her first WTA Tour title, won at the Washington tournament after she beat Jessica Pegula in the final.
At Wimbledon, Eala also beat defending champion Iga Swiatek and reached the fourth round, her best result at a Grand Slam.
She began the year ranked 50th and finishes at a career-high 15th in the WTA rankings.
Eala says she has not set a specific target for 2027 and wants to focus on becoming a better player.
Her next event is expected to be the ASB Classic in Auckland in January, followed by the Australian Open.
Alex Eala finished 2026 ranked 15th in the WTA rankings, a career high after starting the year at No. 50.
She ended her season as runner-up at the Hong Kong Open, losing 6-3, 6-0 to Claire Liu.
The 21-year-old won her first WTA Tour title at the Citi D.C. Open and reached the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Eala said she has not set a concrete goal for 2027 and wants to keep improving as a player.
She is scheduled to begin next season at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
- Who
- Alex Eala, a 21-year-old tennis player from the Philippines.
- What
- She ended the season ranked 15th after reaching the Hong Kong Open final. She has not set a concrete goal for 2027.
- When
- She closed her 2026 season at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, November 8.
- Where
- Hong Kong; the tournament was the Hong Kong Open.
- Why
- Her run to the final lifted her to a career-high ranking. She said she is enjoying this year’s achievements and staying present rather than setting a specific target.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Eala defeated Elena Rybakina in the round of 16 in Berlin.
Eala beat defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek and reached the tournament’s fourth round.
Eala defeated Jessica Pegula in the Washington final to win her first WTA Tour title.
Eala lost to Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final and ended her season as runner-up.
- Season-end ranking
- 15th in the WTA rankings
- Starting ranking
- No. 50
- Hong Kong final score
- Claire Liu beat Eala 6-3, 6-0
- First WTA Tour title
- Citi D.C. Open, Washington
- 2027 opening tournament
- ASB Classic, Auckland
2 sources
What people are saying
I, like every year, of course, want to continue to become a better player. I strive to be the best version of myself.
Truth be told, I definitely have not thought about a concrete goal for next year.
And this is my time to just be happy, and enjoy, and stay in the present.