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It’s been a rollercoaster few months for Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala, and the latest WTA rankings tell part of the story. After returning from an injury layoff, the 19-year-old star has slipped to world No. 70—just weeks before the season’s final Grand Slam, the US Open. But before anyone starts sounding alarms, Eala’s dip in the rankings might just be the calm before another breakthrough storm.
The reason for the slide? Simple: time off the tour. Eala spent part of the summer sidelined with fitness concerns, missing out on valuable ranking points while her peers piled them up. But the silver lining is that she’s fit again—and hungry. At this stage in her career, health matters more than numbers on a chart, and the teenager has been putting in the hard yards to ensure she arrives in New York ready for battle.
Being ranked 70th still puts her firmly among the top players in the world, a remarkable achievement for someone who was playing juniors not too long ago. The US Open presents an opportunity not just to regain lost ground, but to make a massive statement. With her heavy topspin forehand, tireless defense, and trademark grit, Eala has the weapons to trouble anyone in the draw.
More importantly, her dip in rankings takes some pressure off. Instead of being the hunted, she once again plays the role of fearless underdog—a role that has fueled her biggest wins so far. If she channels that energy, don’t be surprised if No. 70 suddenly looks way too low.
For now, Filipino fans can breathe easy: Alex is back, healthy, and ready to swing freely under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows. And as history has shown, whenever Eala steps on a Grand Slam stage, fireworks are never far behind.
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Ade
John Owolabi
Musa