Alex Eala set to join MGM Macau Tennis Masters

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Alex Eala will spend her post-Christmas celebration on a tennis court.

On Nov. 11, 2025, multiple reports confirmed that the 20-year-old Filipina netter is set to compete in the MGM Macau Tennis Masters scheduled from Dec. 27 to 28, to be held at the Macau Forum.

Unlike her previous Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) circuit tournaments, the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters will give Eala a breath of fresh air as the competition will be played in an exhibition format.

With that being said, a win or a loss won’t play a factor in the players’ ranking points, and Eala will have the chance to end 2025 as WTA’s No. 50-ranked female tennis player.

Last Nov. 3, Eala made history as the first-ever Filipina tennis player to crack the top 50 rankings of the WTA, following a Cinderella season with massive wins at the French Open, US Open, and the most memorable one at the Miami Open.

Her most notable achievement was in Miami, where she took down three former Grand Slam queens: Iga Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko, and Madison Keys.

Before calling it a year, Eala advanced to the Round of 16 in the Hong Kong Open, scoring a walkover win over Katie Boulter in the Round of 32, 6-4, 2-1.

Eala formally ended her run in the Round of 16, where she squandered her early 1-0 lead to lose in three sets against Victoria Mboko, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6.

According to the official website of the Macau Tennis Masters, the tournament will be divided into two groups, headed by Li Na and Conchita Martinez, who will serve as team captains.

Eala will play under Na, alongside Chinese star Shang Juncheng and former ATP world No. 4 player Jack Draper.

Standing in their way is Team Martinez, composed of Russian rising star Mirra Andreeva and the intimidating Jakub Mensik.