YEAR'S not yet over but Alex Eala has already has her eyes fixed on the next big one.
The 17-year-old Filipina tennis ace, who made history this year by winning the US Open girls' singles title, just made it to the women's qualifying draw of the 2023 Australian Open in January.
"YESSSSS!!!! I made the cut for the Qualifying Rounds of the Australian Open 2023 in Melbourne," she shared on Facebook, uploading a photo of the acceptance list, which included her name at No. 115.
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The qualifiers mark her first-ever Pro-level Grand Slam stint in her young career.
Currently at WTA No. 215, Eala is a three-time Juniors Grand Slam champion with two doubles titles at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open complementing her US Open girls singles crown.
She has also been transitioning to the pros since 2020, and has conquered two ITF pro tournaments since such as the W15 Manacor in 2021, and W25 Chiang Rai last April.
Eala, who is turning 18 this May, remains a scholar in the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca Spain.
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