Alex Eala, hungry for more, turns her eyes to the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne for her final build-up ahead of her highly anticipated main draw debut in the Australian Open. 53 in the WTA, is one of four WTA players listed so far for the Kooyong Classic scheduled from January 13 to 15, an exclusive, by-invitation-only exhibition tournament serving as a sidelight to the Australian Open. Eala’s Kooyong Classic stint as the youngest player there comes on the heels of her impressive Auckland campaign for her first tournament this season. After Kooyong, the lefty sensation heads to the Australian Open, where she has, for the first time ever, earned direct entry into the main draw as a Top-50 player. The Australian Open remains the only Grand Slam main draw Eala has not played in after the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, after multiple qualifying round exits as a wildcard.

Source: Philippine Star January 11, 2026 10:04 UTC