Alex Eala continues her rise after reaching a career-high ranking of 136 in the latest list of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) released on Monday, Jan. 13.

The 19-year-old Eala improved two rungs despite an early exit in the Australian Open qualifiers after accumulating 533 points for her strong showing in the WTA Canberra tournament early this year. 

She is the highest ranking Southeast Asian so far, besting her regional rival Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand (532), who is lurking behind at 137th.

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (9,656), Poland’s Iga Swiatek (8,120), USA’s Coco Gauff (6,888), Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (5,399) and China’s Qinwen Zheng (5,325) comprised the Top Five.

In the second week of December 2024, Eala managed to breach inside the world’s Top 150 netters as she grabbed the No. 149 spot before further moving up in the ladder.

The charming tennis star has been consistent in representing the country in top competitions, vying already in four Grand Slams where she almost made it in the main draw of US Open, Wimbledon and Roland Garros.

Eala is a five-time ITF singles and three-time doubles champion and is still gunning for her first victory in WTA.