"THIS is just the beginning."
Those were the words of world No. 17 Alex Eala as she wrapped up her amazing 2026 WTA season on Sunday.
Indeed, it's a year to remember for the Filipino tennis star who started the year ranking 53rd in the world. But after an exhausting 73 matches through 28 tournaments and an impressive 47-26 win-loss record, 21-year-old lefty feels nothing but pride for this historic breakout season.
"This season, it has changed my life for the better," she said after falling short against Claire Liu in the Prudential Hong Kong Open final on Sunday. "I'm incredibly proud of the work we've put in this year and we're the only ones who truly know what it took to arrive to this point in our journey."
Taking home her first WTA title in the Mubadala DC Open back in July, Eala is set to finish the season within theTtop 15 after her runner-up finish in the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open.
And she has also taken everybody for the ride, with throngs of her supporters coming out for every match and the pundits acknowledging the "Eala-mania."
Indeed, she remains ever grateful for the love, stating, "Wrapping up this year, you guys do not know how much meaning you add on top of what I do. And how much of a pleasure it is to go about my life sharing these moments with you all so I'm forever grateful."
Now Eala can take a much needed breather before starting her 2027 season in Auckland in January.
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