Alex Eala is now world No. 185, the tennis player's highest rating, based on the latest list released by the Women's Tennis Association.

Previous to reaching No. 185, Eala's best was No. 189.

Before 2023 came to a close, Eala saw action in the Workday Canberra International qualifiers in Australia and dropped a match to Celine Naef.

Eala, 18, and a Rafael Nadal Academy graduate, is gearing up for the qualifying matches of the Australian Open, which starts on 8 January.

Eala needs to win three qualifying matches to make it into the main draw which begins on 14 January.

She is looking to continue from last year's successful campaign where she bagged two professional titles in the W25 Yecla in Spain and the W25 Roehampton.

But first, Eala has to focus on making it to the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the year.