After a quick holiday break – not to mention to celebrate his Southeast Asian Games victory – Filipina Alex Eala is plunging back into action in the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters on Sunday, Dec. 28.
Fresh off a golden conquest that ended the country’s 26-year drought in the women’s singles tennis, Eala is now in Macau for the two-day exhibition tournament which featured the bests of the sport.
Rated WTA No. 53, Eala is among the sports’ rising stars invited for the showcase and she will face No.9 and 18-year-old Mira Andreeva of Russia on the first day of the exhibition.
The two tennis aces are quite familiar with each other having faced each other in the 2022 US Open where the Filipina defeated the Russian to claim the first junior Grand Slam title for Eala.
She is also teaming up with Jerry Shang of China in the mixed doubles event against Andreeva and Yibing Wu of China.
Although just an exhibition, the level of competition should also be a good warm up for Eala who is looking to spend the next few weeks preparing for the 2026 Australian Open.
“Obviously my next goal is the Australian Open. I’ll take my time to enjoy this win and then prep na,” said Eala after winning her gold in the SEA Games with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over hometown bet Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
