Alex Eala’s latest Miami Open run still delivered meaningful rewards, but it also came with the inevitable cost of following up a breakthrough year.
The Filipina tennis standout wrapped up her 2026 campaign in the Round of 16, a finish worth 120 WTA ranking points and $105,720 in prize money. That was a respectable return at a WTA 1000 event, but it fell short of the massive haul she posted in Miami last year, when her dream run to the semifinals earned her 390 points.
That gap matters. Because the WTA rankings operate on a rolling 52-week system, Eala effectively had 390 points to defend from her stunning 2025 performance. By collecting only 120 points this time, she stands to lose 270 points from that stretch once the Miami results are fully reflected in the rankings.
Still, the numbers do not tell the whole story.
While Eala did not replicate last year’s fairy-tale surge, another second-week appearance in Miami reinforced that her 2025 breakout was no fluke. Reaching the last 16 again in a loaded field showed she remains capable of holding her ground in one of the biggest non-Grand Slam tournaments on the calendar. The tournament’s total prize pool this year reached $9,415,725, with Round of 16 finishers in singles guaranteed six-figure paydays.
In many ways, Miami remains a measuring stick for Eala. Last year, it was the site of her explosive rise. This year, it became a test of staying power.
The rankings may take a hit, but Eala leaves South Florida with another solid result, another strong paycheck, and more proof that she belongs on the tour’s biggest stages.