Filipino tennis prodigy Alex Eala dropped a rank in the latest Women's Tennis Association rankings released last 25 December.

The 18-year-old netter slipped to No. 190 after a career-best tying 189th in the previous rankings to end the year.

But Eala remains optimistic about her chances in the coming 2024 season.

She begins her second season as a professional on 8 January when she takes a crack at qualifying in the main draw of the Australian Open.

Eala, who missed the previous edition of season-opening Grand Slam after falling short in the qualifier, left the Philippines last 26 December to start her training and build her confidence by joining the WTA Canberra International slated to run from 31 December to 6 January.

"Representing the country is a real honor for me," Eala told DAILY TRIBUNE.

"Additionally, I also carry the country's flag on my back in individual tournaments as well."

After her warmup tourney, Eala will shoot for a debut Aussie Open women's singles stint.

Eala needs to win all three matches in the qualifying round to enter the main draw. She suffered an early exit in the qualifying round last year after a stinging 6-4, 6-7, 3-6 loss to Japanese bet Misaki Doi.

This time, Eala will be coming into the qualifier wiser and stronger after a stellar campaign in 2023.

Eala, who graduated from the Rafael Nadal Academy, won two professional titles at the W25 Yecla in Spain last June and the W25 Roehampton in England two months after.

She also bagged two bronze medals in her first-ever Asian Games women's singles and mixed doubles alongside Francis Alcantara in Hangzhou, China.