MANILA — Alex Eala’s memorable grass-court season has received another fitting reward after tennis fans around the world voted the Filipina standout as the WTA Star of the Swing for the 2026 grass-court campaign.
The prestigious fan-voted recognition came after Eala collected close to 89 percent of the total votes, comfortably finishing ahead of several elite competitors and underscoring her growing popularity in international tennis.
Eala’s rise during the grass season began with a championship run at the Lexus Birmingham Open, where she lifted the WTA 125 trophy despite weather-related interruptions throughout the tournament.
She carried that momentum into Berlin, reaching the semifinals against a stacked field before delivering the finest Grand Slam performance of her young career at Wimbledon.
Seeded 29th, Eala rewrote Philippine tennis history by advancing to the fourth round, highlighted by an impressive victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek on Centre Court. The achievement marked the deepest singles run ever by a Filipina in the Open Era.
The WTA’s Star of the Swing award recognizes players who make the biggest impact during each segment of the tennis calendar, with the winners determined through fan voting.
For Eala, the recognition reflects not only her outstanding performances but also the growing support she enjoys from tennis followers worldwide.
As she prepares for the North American hard-court season, including the build-up to the US Open, the Filipina ace hopes to sustain her impressive form and continue climbing the WTA rankings while inspiring the next generation of Filipino tennis players.
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