Alex Eala hasn’t even started her campaign in the Philippine Women’s Open, she already has another tournament booked in her schedule.
The 20-year-old Eala was announced as a wildcard for the main draw of the Abu Dhabi Open, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 event, from 1 to 7 February at the International Tennis Centre in Zayed Sports City in the United Arab Emirates.
It would be her second time competing in the tournament since 2024, when she lost to Magda Linette of Poland, 6-7, 1-6, in the Round of 32.
Joining the Rafael Nadal Academy graduate in the main draw are defending champion and Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, world No.5 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, former World No.2 Paula Badosa of Spain, Victoria Mboko of Canada, and Clara Tauson of Denmark, who lost to Eala, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, in the first round of the US Open last August.
Should Eala make it all the way to the final of the Philippine Women’s Open on 31 January, she will have to catch the first available flight to Abu Dhabi.
But for her, it is all part of her system as an athlete competing around the world.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, if you’re on tour, you’re going to have jet lag. That’s just the reality. Sometimes you’re running on three or four hours of sleep, but you still have to go out and play,” said Eala, who recently lost in the first round of the main draw of the Australian Open last Monday against world No. 99 Alycia Parks of the United States, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6.
“You adjust when you can, but it’s something you just have to deal with.”
But before Eala focuses on her Middle East stint, she has business to take care of in Manila.
Eala is already training at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center with wildcard bets Tenny Madis and Kaye Ann Emana in what is considered as her homecoming tournament after gaining a huge following from Filipino fans overseas.
“It’s a huge milestone in Philippine tennis, and I think it’s a big deal for all of us Filipina tennis players,” Eala said.
“It’s been a dream to have a home tournament. I’m so happy that it’s going to bring a lot of inspiration for the girls back home.”
Eala is expected to have a tough time in Manila as a handful of familiar foes will challenge her for the top honors.
World No. 42 Tatjana Maria of Germany and No. 46 Wang Xinyu of China, No. 59 Janice Tjen of Indonesia, No. 63 Solana Sierra of Argentina, No. 72 Donna Vekic of Croatia, No. 76 Kimberly Birrell of Australia, and No. 84 Camila Osorio of Colombia all stand in the way of Eala’s pursuit of her second WTA crown since her triumph at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico last September.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the fanfare Eala received at Melbourne Park is a glimpse of what to expect when she plays on Monday.
“We saw the reaction of the crowd in Melbourne and they gave us an idea that the fans are just so excited. They will wait for hours just to watch Alex or just to catch a glimpse of Alex,” Gregorio said.
“Alex is a craze all over the world.”
Meanwhile, Eala worked out at the venue on Friday with the help of local players amid the searing afternoon heat.
She also took time off from her hectic schedule by signing autographs.