Eala’s next stop is Platja d’Aro for W25 event

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is making the most out of her extended break with non-stop training at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca to prepare for her next event in Platja d’Aro, Spain later this month.

Scheduled to participate in two W15 tournaments in Turkey last month, Eala was forced to withdraw due to the COVID-19 situation there. That provided a window in her schedule until May 17 and for the bigger $25,000 joust in Platja d’Aro.

Even in training, Eala strictly observes health protocols.

“I continue to train on clay and my next tournament will be a W25. Let’s continue to take care of each other by continuing to wear masks,” said the 15-year-old Filipina pride.

Eala’s last performance was a third-round entry in her first W60 event in Switzerland last April 9, a follow-up to her WTA debut in the stacked Miami Open last March.

She came close to a quarterfinals berth highlighted by wins against top-300 players Margot Yerolymos (WTA No. 323) of France and Laura-Ioana Paar (No. 206) of Romania.

Despite the prolonged rest, Eala jumped two places up to No. 660 spot in the updated Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings after her solid W60 stint.

Only in her second pro season, Eala is relentless on her WTA rise from No. 1190 earlier this year following eight pro events marked by her breakthrough title in W15 Manacor last January.

The left-handed prodigy of the Spanish legend is also the No. 3 player in the ITF Juniors.