Eala opens Australian Open vs Alycia Parks

Filipina tennis standout Alexandra Eala is set to make her Australian Open main-draw debut with a first-round matchup against American Alycia Parks.

Parks, 25, is currently ranked No. 100 by the Women’s Tennis Association and reached a career-high ranking of No. 40 in 2023.

She made her Grand Slam debut at the 2021 US Open and posted her best Australian Open result in 2024, advancing to the Round of 32.

In 2025, Parks competed in the Round of 128 at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

For Eala, the 2026 Australian Open marks her first appearance in the tournament’s main draw after previously reaching main draws at the other three Grand Slam events.

The Filipina teen enters the tournament ranked No. 49 in the WTA rankings and will be facing Parks for the first time on the WTA Pro Tour.

Eala is coming off a strong semifinal finish at the ASB Classic in New Zealand and a notable win over Donna Vekic in an exhibition match at the Kooyong Classic.

Her Australian Open campaign will determine whether she can compete in the Philippine Women’s Open on January 26, as the event coincides with the second week of the Grand Slam.

In 2025, Eala enjoyed a historic season, breaking into the WTA Top 100, winning her first WTA 125 title and capturing her first Southeast Asian Games gold medal.

Parks reached a career-high world ranking of No. 40 in August 2023 and owns a WTA singles title after winning the 2023 Lyon Open, where she defeated home favorite Caroline Garcia in the final.

She has also found success in doubles, winning two WTA titles, including the prestigious 2023 Cincinnati Open alongside Coco Gauff.

Known for her power game, Parks shares the record for the fastest serve in US Open history with Venus Williams, with both clocking 129 mph in different editions of the tournament.

Parks achieved the mark during her 2021 Grand Slam debut, matching Williams’ long-standing 2007 record and placing her among the fastest servers on the WTA Tour.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Parks has been coached by her father, Michael Parks, since childhood and began playing tennis at age seven.

She later moved with her older sister to Florida at age 10 to pursue higher-level training.

After graduating from high school in 2019, Parks turned down multiple college scholarship offers to pursue a full-time professional career.

She turned professional in 2019 and made her WTA main-draw debut at the Charleston Open in 2021.

If Eala advances past the opening round, she will face the winner between WTA No. 19 Karolina Muchova and WTA No. 37 Jaqueline Cristian.

The opening-round clash against Parks represents another milestone for Eala as she begins her Australian Open journey against a powerful and experienced opponent.