Coco Gauff, left, is a big fan of Alexandra Eala. EPAShow caption: Coco Gauff, left, is a big fan of Alexandra Eala. EPATennis star has risen to No 18 in the world following a stellar 2026 season
Alex Eala's rise in tennis has made her a national icon in the Philippines, drawing comparisons to boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Eala, 21, has reached a world ranking of No 18, the highest ever achieved by a South-East Asian female tennis player.
Her maiden WTA 500 title at the Mubadala DC Open marked a historic breakthrough, with Filipino fans and flags present at matches worldwide.
A homecoming match against Indonesia's Janice Tjen in Bulacan in December is expected to draw a sell-out crowd of 55,000.
