Alex Eala is currently preparing to participate in her first clay-court event of the year in Austria.
The Filipina, who most recently competed at the Miami Open, has received a tough Linz Open draw.
If Eala defeats Julia Grabher in her first-round match, she will play 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in round two.
Despite the difficult task ahead of her, Eala will be confident of progressing far in Linz after demonstrating excellent form at the start of this year.
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The Filipina is also likely to draw a big crowd, as she has done at every WTA event she has competed in this year.
Sandra Reichel, the Linz Open Tournament Director, has offered her thoughts on Eala’s participation in the event.
Sandra Reichel says the Philippines have an ‘amazing player’ in Alexandra Eala
“You have an amazing player in the Philippines, it’s great,” Reichel [pictured below] said during a conversation with Filipina journalist and former player Dyan Castillejo.
“It’s great to be with the tournament around the world on the Philippines. It’s great, you have an amazing player.
“Alexandra is unbelievable and I think it’s great for the Philippines, for the people, for the tennis fans in the Philippines to have such an amazing player,” tournament director Sandra Reichel said.
Reichel later added: “Yes, she’s [Eala] in Linz already and we are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year.
“We are really a long-standing member of the whole tour and it’s great always to welcome new players and newcomers and players who will own the future, I would say.
“So it’s great to welcome Alexandra here in Linz in this special year.”
Eala will be the clear favourite heading into her first-round match against Julia Grabher.
Grabher, from Austria, has not won a WTA Tour-level match since the Australian Open, where she defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the first round.
The Filipina will be hopeful of advancing, especially after working with Toni Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.
Eala, the world number 45, also met fellow academy graduate and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek during her time at the institute.
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Who won the 2025 Linz Open?
A number of high-profile names competed at the 2025 Linz Open, including Karolina Muchová, Clara Tauson, Elina Svitolina and Maria Sakkari.
Fourth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova won the title, setting the tone for the rest of the year.
After defeating Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the final, Alexandrova lauded the Linz Open as ‘special.’
“This tournament was always special for me,” the Russian said in her victory speech, as per the WTA Tour.
“I really love playing here every time — and now, finally, I can make it to the end at the third time.”
“I’m super pleased and happy, and this place is going to be special and magical for me all the time.”
