𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗧 | Eala tests steel in Eastbourne before Wimbledon leap

𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀

With history waiting at Wimbledon, Alex Eala is not skipping the grind.

The 20-year-old Filipina tennis sensation entered the qualifiers of the World Tennis Association (WTA) 250 Eastbourne Open this week, her final warm-up before debuting in the women’s singles main draw at the prestigious All England Club.

Eala, currently ranked No. 77 in the WTA, faces Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez in the opening round—a showdown between two young guns separated by just five places in the global rankings.

The world No. 82 Turkish is no pushover, who captured the Merida Open title and logged Grand Slam main draw appearances at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year.

Eala, on the other hand, is making her fourth consecutive appearance on grass this season, determined to build momentum after a tough loss to world No. 31 Magda Linette in Nottingham last week.

The Filipina needed two qualifying wins in Eastbourne to crack the main draw, but beyond results, her focus has been on adapting to grass—arguably the most challenging surface for rising players.

Eala is seeded eighth in the qualifiers, but rankings have taken a back seat to readiness as she eyes a confident debut on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

Her Eastbourne match against Sonmez, slated for June 22, will serve as both a barometer of form and a final rehearsal for the Grand Slam spotlight.