Alexandra “Alex” Eala has reached another milestone in her breakthrough 2026 campaign, climbing to a new career-high Women’s Tennis Association ranking of No. 29 in the latest WTA singles list released on Monday, March 16. The 20-year-old Filipina star improved three spots from No. 32, marking her highest placement yet on the professional tour.
The jump further cements Eala’s rise as one of the sport’s fastest-emerging young talents. A former Rafael Nadal Academy scholar and one of the Philippines’ brightest tennis hopes, Eala continues to build momentum after a string of strong performances on the WTA circuit this season. Her official WTA player profile now lists both her current singles ranking and career-high mark at No. 29.
Adding to the significance of the ranking surge, Eala will begin her Miami Open campaign with a first-round bye as the tournament’s No. 32 seed. The official Miami player list confirms her seeded status, putting her directly into the second round of the WTA 1000 event in Florida.
Eala is set to launch her bid in Miami as the tournament gets underway this week, with main-draw play beginning on March 17 and the event running through March 29.
Her latest rise follows another headline-making run at Indian Wells, where she stunned World No. 4 Coco Gauff in the Round of 32. Eala won the first set 6-2 before Gauff retired while trailing 2-0 in the second, handing the Filipina another marquee victory over an elite opponent.
That result once again showed Eala’s ability to challenge the biggest names in women’s tennis and underscored why expectations around her continue to grow. With a career-best ranking now secured and another major WTA 1000 event ahead, Eala heads into Miami carrying both momentum and the confidence that she belongs among the world’s top players.