Alexandra Eala is set to make her debut at the Stuttgart Open, which will begin on April 13.
The Filipina, who has slipped 17 places in the WTA rankings since her loss to Karolina Muchova in Miami, was expected to take part in the qualifying draw for the German event.
On Tuesday, Eala was handed a major boost following the withdrawal of Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.
What is the best win of Alexandra Eala’s career so far? 🤔
Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?
The Stuttgart Open confirmed the withdrawal on social media; and this development has resulted in Eala replacing Zheng in the main draw.
The Stuttgart Open confirms Alex Eala’s entry into the main draw
“Alexandra Eala replaces [Qinwen] Zheng in the main draw,” a spokesperson for the WTA event said on X [formerly Twitter].
“Unfortunately, Qinwen [pictured below] has to withdraw due to injury, but fans can now look forward to seeing Alexandra step in.
“We wish Qinwen a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the court in Stuttgart very soon!”
Eala will now have the opportunity to compete against the likes of Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini and Jelena Ostapenko for the Stuttgart title, without having to physically exert herself in the qualifying draw.
Direct entry in the main draw certainly boosts the Filipina’s chances of recording a strong run in Stuttgart, and also gives her an opportunity to test herself against some of the best clay-court players on the WTA Tour.
One of those players is Jelena Ostapenko – the defending Stuttgart Open champion.
The projected top seeds in Stuttgart
- Elena Rybakina
- Coco Gauff
- Iga Swiatek
- Coco Gauff
- Elina Svitolina
- Jasmine Paolini
- Mirra Andreeva
- Karolina Muchova
Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, is widely regarded as an excellent clay-court player: an individual who can defeat the very best on the WTA Tour, despite being ranked outside of the top 20.
Before participating in Stuttgart, Eala could face Ostapenko at the Linz Open, should she defeat Julia Grabher in the first round.
Eala has played Ostapenko twice before on the WTA Tour, winning on both occasions.
Eala beat Ostapenko at the 2025 Miami Open, and did so again three months later at the Eastbourne Open.
Who won the first Stuttgart Open?
In 1978, the first WTA Stuttgart event was held on indoor carpet courts at the Tennis Sporthalle Filderstadt in Filderstadt, West Germany.
American star Tracy Austin was the first player to win the event, defeating Betty Stöve 6–3, 6–3 in the final.
It was Austin’s first ever WTA title – at only 15 years old. She won red Porsche 928 for her efforts, along with her prize money.
Speaking to The Times about her achievement in 2021, Austin [pictured below] revealed that she gave the car to her mother.
“Along with the prize money, I was given a red Porsche 928 but I couldn’t drive it because I was too young for a licence,” she said.
“I ended up giving it to my mum.”
Remarkably, Austin won the first four editions of the event.
She was finally defeated by Martina Navratilova in the 1982 final. Navratilova, who had lost two previous Stuttgart finals to Austin, won the match 6-3, 6-3.
