ABU DHABI: Alexandra Eala returns to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open this week carrying momentum, confidence and the chance to make history at the tournament that first launched her onto the WTA 500 stage.
The 20-year-old Filipino star faces wildcard Zeynep Sonmez on Monday evening at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, marking a full-circle moment in one of tennis’ most compelling breakthrough journeys.
Eala arrived in Abu Dhabi two years ago ranked outside the world’s top 180, marking both her WTA 500 and UAE debut. She returns in 2026 as a Top 50 player — the first Filipina to achieve the milestone — following a remarkable rise that has made her one of the sport’s fastest-growing talents.
“I still remember my match here — I played Magdalena Fręch — and it was such a great learning experience for me,” Eala said as she reflected on her 2024 Abu Dhabi debut. “I think that was my first time in the UAE. A lot of new experiences, and I’ve grown a lot since then. So, let’s see how this year pans out.”
Eala has landed #AlexEala #MubadalaAbuDhabiOpen pic.twitter.com/bmK5HbJrY1
— Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (@MubadalaADOpen) January 31, 2026
Eala’s ascent gathered pace during a career-defining 2025 campaign that saw her develop from a promising contender into a genuine tour threat. Beginning the season ranked No. 147, she battled through qualifying events and WTA 125 tournaments before delivering a stunning breakout performance at the Miami Open.
Competing as a wildcard, she defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiątek in consecutive matches. The historic run made Eala the first Filipino to defeat a Top 10 player, the first to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal, and the first wildcard in WTA history to defeat three Grand Slam champions in a single tournament.
“I think there are quite prominent differences in all aspects of my game,” said Eala, when asked about her evolution. “But more than that, I think it’s just the maturity of everything — how I approach things on court. Physically I’m more mature, a little stronger. It’s well-rounded growth.”
That maturity became a defining feature of her season. At the US Open, Eala rallied from a set down to defeat 14th seed Clara Tauson, becoming the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open Era. She also captured her maiden WTA 125 title in Guadalajara after recovering from a 1-6 opening set deficit, underlining the composure that has become central to her game.
Now back on the hard courts of Zayed Sports City — a surface that has produced some of her biggest career moments — Eala has another opportunity to break new ground. No Filipino player has ever captured a WTA 500 title.
“It would mean the world — and not just as a Filipino, but just as me,” Eala said when asked about the possibility of becoming the first from her country to win a WTA 500 tournament. “It would just mean so much for my personal growth and my personal journey.”
All the love for Eala pic.twitter.com/nLrpN1d94V
— Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (@MubadalaADOpen) January 31, 2026
Eala’s return has already sparked excitement among the UAE’s sizeable Filipino community, with supporters gathering at Zayed Sports City during her media appearances on Sunday.
The rising star, now one of the Philippines’ most recognizable sporting figures with more than 869,000 Instagram followers, acknowledged the expectations that come with representing her country on the global stage.
“I want to say it’s business as usual, but, you know, it’s inevitable — with a lot of eyes on you, you’ll feel some pressure,” Eala explained. “But the thing is, all players feel pressure, and you just have to learn how to deal with it. And I think I’ve been doing pretty well so far.”
Victory against Sonmez would secure Eala a place in the second round of a tournament that has already played a pivotal role in her career — and potentially set the stage for another landmark achievement.
The match is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, not before 5 p.m. local time.
