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| Alex Eala at WTA 500 Singapore |
MANILA, Philippines — All eyes will be on Alexandra Eala as the Filipina tennis star returns to Singapore for the Singapore Tennis Open 2026, where she will compete against an elite WTA field in the tournament’s first year as a WTA 500 event.
The tournament officially gets underway Monday, September 21, at the OCBC Arena at The Kallang, with the main draw scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. Singapore time (UTC+8).
For Eala, however, this is more than just another tournament stop.
Singapore is a place filled with memories for the 20-year-old Filipina.
Eala first competed in Singapore as an 11-year-old in 2016, when she took part in the WTA Future Stars tournament. Nearly a decade later, she returns as the most highly ranked Southeast Asian player of all time.
She also competed in the qualifying rounds of the inaugural Singapore Tennis Open in 2025.
Now, Eala is back with considerably more experience and a growing reputation on the global tennis stage.
“Playing in Singapore is always special,” Eala said. “I have fond memories of competing here when I was younger and playing in the region I call home makes this tournament even more meaningful.”
The Filipina star added that the past year has been filled with growth and lessons on the WTA Tour.
“I am excited to kick off the Asian Swing at The Kallang and soak in all the great energy from the fans!”
Eala begins the Asian Swing in Singapore
The Singapore Tennis Open is particularly significant this year after being elevated from WTA 250 to WTA 500 status, making it the only WTA 500-level tournament in Southeast Asia.
The event features a 28-player singles draw, a 16-team doubles draw, and US$1.2 million in total prize money.
Eala will have the opportunity to test herself against one of the strongest fields she has encountered in Singapore, led by world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, the tournament's top seed.
Andreeva is among the WTA stars arriving in Singapore as the tournament opens the Asian Swing, while Eala will be looking to make her own mark in front of fans from the region she calls home.
For Filipino tennis fans, the timing is especially interesting.
After competing around the world and gaining valuable experience on the WTA Tour, Eala now begins the Asian portion of her schedule on familiar territory.
A full-circle moment for Eala
Eala's Singapore journey offers a glimpse at just how far she has come.
In 2016, she was an 11-year-old prospect taking part in a developmental event.
In 2025, she returned to Singapore as a young professional attempting to qualify for the tournament.
In 2026, she arrives as the highest-ranked Southeast Asian player in tennis history, competing in a significantly elevated WTA 500 tournament.
That progression makes Singapore an important stop in Eala's career—not simply because of the tournament itself, but because of what the venue represents in her development.
Now the challenge is to turn that experience into results.
When does the Singapore Tennis Open start?
The Singapore Tennis Open 2026 main draw begins Monday, September 21, at 11:00 a.m. Singapore time at OCBC Arena at The Kallang.
The tournament runs through the week, with singles and doubles action featuring some of the leading names on the WTA Tour.
Fans can follow the official draws and match schedule through the WTA's tournament coverage.
For Filipinos, though, one name will naturally stand out.
Alex Eala is back in Singapore—and this time, she's not the young prospect arriving to gain experience. She's one of the players expected to make an impact.
Powcast Sports will continue to follow Eala's campaign throughout the Singapore Tennis Open and the Asian Swing.
Source: Singapore Tennis Open / WTA
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