Eala embraces Dubai Open debut with pride, reflects on bond with Filipino fans

Filipina tennis prodigy Alex Eala is poised to step onto the grand stage of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, marking her highly anticipated debut at one of the WTA Tour’s most prestigious Middle Eastern events.

Scheduled to face a Lucky Loser Hailey Baptiste of the US, the 20-year-old brings with her a mix of youthful energy, poise, and a quiet determination that has become her hallmark.

For Eala, Dubai represents more than just another tournament stop; it is a stage where dreams converge with opportunity.

Originally granted a wild card into the main draw, she later secured a direct berth following the withdrawal of American McCartney Kessler due to injury — a fortuitous turn that ensures the rising star can showcase her talents without delay.

Should she navigate her opening match successfully, a tantalizing second-round encounter with world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini looms, offering a high-stakes test against one of the sport’s elite.

For a player steadily climbing the rankings, it is a challenge Eala greets with the confidence of someone ready to seize the moment.

 Speaking at the draw ceremony, Eala reflected on the palpable energy in the arena and the unique connection she feels with fans in the UAE.

“The atmosphere changes a lot when there’s so many excited people. It means a lot for me, because it makes me feel like I’m home when I’m traveling for so many weeks of the year.

“And I think that feeling is reciprocated for a lot of the overseas Filipino working here.

I know there’s a huge population of them here in the Middle East, so it means a lot for people to see themselves in other people. That’s what makes it special here.”

Eala, born in Quezon City, was ranked No139 in the world just 12 months ago, but has soared

up the rankings in recent weeks courtesy of a series of strong showings.

Starting in New Zealand, she reached the semi-finals in Auckland before adding quarter-final appearances in Manila.

Eala arrived in Dubai eager to rediscover her rhythm after a first-round loss at the Qatar Open, where she bowed to Czech Republic’s Tereza Valentova.

Just weeks earlier, however, she had surged to the quarter-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open, eventually falling to world No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova in a performance that underscored her growing maturity and resolve.

After her disappointment in Doha, the Filipino star will relish the opportunity to test her rapidly developing game against the Tour’s established leaders again so quickly as she targets a breakthrough run at WTA 1000 level. Her Dubai debut forms part of a demanding early-season schedule that has already seen her make her Australian Open main-draw bow and win Melbourne’s Kooyong Classic exhibition.