With career-high world ranking, young Eala in for busy year

Alex Eala, the Philippines’ top tennis star, has secured three wild-card entries in the pro circuit for this year after making it to the top 10 in the world junior rankings.

The 14-year-old was already granted WC entries by the International Tennis Federation, where she will be allowed to compete in five pro events

this year.

Eala is set to compete in the Grade 1 Traralgon juniors, which is a run-up to the Australian Open where she has a slot in the main draw in the girls’ singles.She had earlier stated that she would venture into the pros more and more while also competing in the juniors.

Eala is expected to be seeded in the Traralgon, an outdoor hard courts event.

The Rafael Nadal Academy scholar said she’s thrilled by the opportunities presented to her considering that just a year ago she was at 248th in the world junior rankings.

Her dad, Mike Eala, said she would compete in a $25,000-pro tournament in Brazil for her first foray into the pros this year.

Eala boosted her stock after several victories in the top-level junior events, including a title in the Grade A Orange Bowl girls doubles last last year. INQ