Rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala set for Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships debut
Women’s week followed by ATP 500 men’s competition
DUBAI – Rising Filipina tennis player Alexandra Eala is set to make her first appearance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next week after breaking into the WTA Top 40 for the first time.
Tournament organisers confirmed her participation as the WTA 1000 event opens on Sunday with one of the strongest player line-ups of the season. The women’s competition runs from 15 to 21 February, followed by the men’s ATP 500 event from 23 to 28 February.
The 20-year-old from Quezon City arrives in Dubai on the back of a sharp rise in the world rankings. Just 12 months ago she was placed at No.139, but a string of deep runs and consistent performances has pushed her into the Top 40. Her rapid progress has placed her among the most closely watched young players on the WTA Tour.
Rankings surge
Eala’s climb has been driven by a busy and productive early season stretch across multiple tournaments. She reached the semi-finals in Auckland, then added quarter-final finishes in Manila and Abu Dhabi. Her latest outing came in Doha, where she exited on Monday after a straight-sets defeat to Tereza Valentova, 7-6(6), 6-1.
She has also marked key career milestones this year, including her first Australian Open main draw appearance and a title win at the Kooyong Classic exhibition in Melbourne. The results have strengthened her ranking position and secured entry into higher-tier tournaments.
Elite field
Dubai’s flagship women’s event is staging its 26th edition and will feature 18 of the world’s top 20 players. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka headlines the draw alongside multiple Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, American star Coco Gauff, reigning champion Mirra Andreeva and Australian Open winner Elena Rybakina.
Only Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka are absent from the Top 20 list due to injury. Eala joins the main draw in a packed WTA 1000 field, placing her directly alongside many of the sport’s biggest names at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will continue with the 34th edition of the ATP 500 men’s tournament immediately after the women’s week, creating a two-week run of top-level tennis in the emirate. Tickets for both tournaments are available through ticketmaster.ae and the official championships website.
The event is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.