Alexandra Eala is set to make her debut in one of the most popular tennis exhibitions as she will play at the Kooyong Classic, the tournament announced.
This past weekend, the 20-year-old Filipina competed at the MGM Tennis Macau Masters, where she got to play two matches.
After getting some action in Macau, Eala is flying to New Zealand to launch her 2026 season at the WTA 250 event in Auckland.
For the second week, the world No. 53 opted not to sign up for any WTA tournaments. However, she will still see some action the week before the Australian Open after signing up for Kooyong.
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In Kooyong, Eala joins a player field that includes 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic, former world No. 5 Daniela Hantuchova and home player Priscilla Hon.
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The 2026 Kooyong Classic edition will take place between January 13-15.
Eala had a memorable experience in Macau
In Macau, Eala's initial schedule included a singles match against Mirra Andreeva and also a mixed doubles match. But after the Russian retired from their mixed doubles match and there were no other WTA players competing in the same tournament, the Filipina ended up playing against two men after she and Juncheng Shang took on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Wu Yibing.
It was quite a scene, but Eala and Shang didn't disappoint as they played extremely well before Davidovich Fokina and Wu earned a tight 7-5 7-6 (1) win.
"My very first mixed doubles. It was such a pleasure to share the court with Jerry. We grew up playing juniors together and seeing each other in tournaments, so yeah, it was such a fun experience. Im open," Eala said about the experience afterward.
