Alex Eala couldn’t help but feel proud as she and three other Southeast Asian (SEA) netters represent the region in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

The 20-year-old Eala said she is thrilled to be mentioned as one of the pillars of women’s tennis in the region as she rose to No. 31 in the WTA rankings.

Other than Eala, world No. 36 Janice Tjen of Indonesia, No. 123 Lanlana Tararudee and No. 199 Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand are currently the best women’s tennis players in the region.

“It’s so nice to see that in Southeast Asia, there are four women in the main draw from our region alone. It’s such a great time for women’s sports and women’s tennis in our region, and I’m so happy to be a part of that.”

“It comes with more pride. It depends on how you look at it, and I try to take it with as much gratitude as possible, because not a lot of players get to have this platform.”

Eala even added how the competition in the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand last December gave her fits.

The Rafael Nadal Academy alumna defeated Sawangkaew, 6-1, 6-2, to break the Philippines’ 26-year gold medal drought in the women’s singles.

“I definitely felt that it was stronger this year than in past years. Maybe I’m biased, but having four players in the main draw says a lot about the level of that tournament,” Eala said,

“It is my dream, and I am living out my dream. There were so many challenges, but I look back at 2025 with so many positives.”

Now Eala is in the United States for two crucial tournaments that could propel her inside the Top 30 of the WTA.

First will be the BNP Paribas Open from 4 to 15 March at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California and the Miami Open from 15 to 29 March at the Hard Rock Stadium.