Alex Eala joined the list of junior and professional players who will be receiving Grand Slam Player Grants this year from the International Tennis Federation.
The 16-year-old Eala, who is currently ranked eighth in the ITF juniors, was among the 13 recipients in the junior girls category who will be receiving $25,000 (around P1.2 million) funding.
There were 18 pros and 23 junior players receiving the said funding ranging from $12,500 to $25,000. The Grand Slam Player Development Programme Committee selects players based on age, ranking and regional representation.
Among the previous recipients of this program aimed at helping develop players were Casper Ruud in 2018, where he was then ranked outside the Top 100 and had yet to play a main-draw match at the Grand Slams.
Rudd is now ranked eighth in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
Other previous recipients were Grand Slam champions Li Na, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka and Simona Halep.
Last year, Eala also received a grant from the ITF that allowed her to compete in more pro tournaments.
Eala was also able to perform well in the junior circuit and managed to win her second Grand Slam girls doubles title at the Roland Garros with Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva.