Alex Eala gets wildcard ticket to WTA Madrid Open

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala will look to bounce back in the upcoming Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Madrid Open after receiving a wildcard slot set to kick off on April 25, 2023, in La Caja Magica, Spain.

After a streak of early exits during her past WTA outings in the last two months, the 17-year-old superstar is laser-focused to pull off a better performance in another major pro tournament.

Eala already got a taste of the clay court in Madrid last year but quickly fell in the tourney after losing in the very first round.

Now equipped with more experience much-needed in the highest level of pro tennis, Eala is seeking a promising result despite the tough challenge ahead.

Eala will be going up against the top WTA players and will have to be in her A-game to pull off a series of upset wins as the underdog.

Last month, Eala failed to progress during the W60 Chiasso tennis tournament held in Switzerland on April 13, 2023.

The highest-ranked Filipina ace wasn’t in her best shape when she fought Alexandra Cadantu-Ignatik of Romania and bowed out in just two-straight sets- 6.0, 6.2- in the Round of 32 singles category.

Eala got overwhelmed by the Romanian’s crisp and direct attacks to the baseline matched with her highly-efficient first ball during her service possessions.

Also, it was one of those days for Eala where her unforced errors derailed her momentum in catching the crucial set points.

To attain a better rank in the WTA, Eala must have a positive result in Madrid to gain more points aside from her International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit participation.