World No. 31 Alex Eala will step onto the Indian Wells courts for the first time next month, making her debut at the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament in California.
Filipina rising star Alex Eala is gearing up for her Indian Wells Open debut next month, earning a spot in the star-studded main draw of the WTA 1000 event, scheduled March 4–15.
The main draw matches will be released Monday, March 2 (PH time).
The 20-year-old, currently ranked No. 31, returns to the WTA 1000 circuit after competing in Qatar and Dubai during her Middle East swing.
[RELATED: Alex Eala jumps to new career-high of world no. 31 in WTA rankings]
She reached the quarterfinals in Dubai, falling to former doubles partner Coco Gauff in straight sets.
[RELATED: Alex Eala a 'tough competitor,' says Coco Gauff after Dubai quarterfinal match]
After a one-and-a-half-week break, Eala kicks off her “Sunshine Double” campaign in Indian Wells against a star-studded field.
Leading the pack are World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek, alongside third-ranked and reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.
Tournament champion and world No. 8 Mirra Andreeva returns to defend her crown, while Gauff will also be in action alongside fellow American Jessica Pegula, who won the Dubai Open, and Amanda Anisimova.
Other top contenders include No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, whom Eala defeated in Dubai, as well as top-10 players Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and Canadian breakout star Victoria Mboko.
[RELATED: Alex Eala credits crowd support in upset of world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini in Dubai]
The qualifying rounds will take place March 2–3, with the main draw set to begin a day later.
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.