Not many Filipinos can say they’ve had a phenomenal press run in New York. Alex Eala has been going around the Big Apple, in large part because of the U.S. Open. Her loss against American tennis player Iva Jovic on Sunday put her out of the tournament, but it hasn’t stopped her from showing up on the TV program CBS Mornings, Vanity Fair, and sitting front row at New York Fashion Week.
The Filipino tennis superstar even caught the attention of Anna Wintour at the U.S. Open in late August, when the Condé Nast exec told the press, “I think it’s really interesting, especially when you look at players like Serena [Williams] or Naomi [Osaka], who really embrace fashion and express themselves with it. We had the young Filipino star. You could see even in such a young star how interested she is in fashion, how she wants to learn about it and follow it, and I think it’s great.”
Eala is also well on her way to becoming one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes, second only to Coco Gauff, sports agent and IMG Tennis Vice President Max Eisenbud told Forbes in August. “I feel very confident that by 2027, she will be the second-highest-paid female athlete in the world, behind [Gauff],” he said.
In the year so far, Eala has reportedly earned $1.7 million in prize money. This is only on top of the $5 million in off-court earnings, which includes sponsorship deals with BPI and Globe Telecom, and an apparel deal with Nike.
Eisenbud even said Eala won’t have to win another tennis match, as “She’s crazy famous [in the Philippines].” But at just 21 years old, she certainly has many more wins in her.
Eala is set to play at the 2026 Asian Games from September 27 to October 3 in Japan, leading the Philippines’ tennis delegation with Francis Casey Alcantara. To compete there, Eala has decided to skip the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open and may have to pay a $75,000 penalty (around P4.7 million) if she does not secure a waiver from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
Only the games’ final results will determine whether this hefty fine is worth ditching a mandatory WTA event, as winning a gold medal at the Asian Games would only entitle Eala to P2 million in cash incentives from the Philippine government — only roughly half of the penalty. In the meantime, Eala will also compete at the WTA 500 Singapore Open, which begins on September 21.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alex Eala lost to American tennis player Iva Jovic on September 6 (Philippine Standard Time), but stayed visible in New York, appearing on CBS Mornings, a Vanity Fair video, and at New York Fashion Week.
IMG Tennis VP Max Eisenbud told Forbes he’s confident Eala will be the second-highest-paid female athlete by 2027, trailing Coco Gauff, citing her rising prize money and sponsorships.
Eala has reportedly earned $1.7 million in prize money in 2026 so far, plus $5 million off-court from commercial opportunities with BPI, Globe Telecom, and Nike, among others.
Eala is skipping the mandatory China Open to lead the Philippine tennis delegation at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, risking a $75,000 penalty from the WTA if she doesn’t secure a waiver.
Eala is set to compete at the WTA 500 Singapore Open, beginning September 21, ahead of her Asian Games appearance in Japan from September 27 to October 3.
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