What Alex Eala needs to finish 2026 with a career-high ranking and achieve huge Australian Open boost

Alex Eala’s 2026 season will live long in the memory, and it is not quite over yet.

She still has just one tournament left, where she will feature at the Hong Kong Open as the number two seed and heavy favourite to enjoy a deep run.

And, whilst there is seemingly nothing left for her to play for, currently unable to qualify for the WTA Finals, that could not be further from the truth.

In fact, perhaps the biggest benefit from this entire year might still be waiting, if she can just enjoy a run deep enough to secure a new career-high ranking.

Alexandra Eala has just reached a new career-high ranking

Alexandra Eala has actually already just achieved a new career-high on the WTA rankings, albeit only due to Amanda Anisimova’s injury.

The American has already wrapped up her 2026 season, and so has forfeited all the points she earned around this time last year.

This has seen her drop down to 22nd in the live rankings, and allowed Eala to climb to 17th.

And, there might still be scope for further growth, and all she needs is to reach the Hong Kong semi-finals this coming week.

The Filipina superstar faces a tricky opening-round match against Alycia Parks, and therefore needs just three wins to ensure this jump.

If Eala were to achieve this and rise to 16th, she would secure her place as a top-16 seed at the Australian Open in January. This would mean she could only possibly meet any of the world’s top eight players in the fourth round, and hopefully boost her chances of enjoying a deep run.

Who are the current top eight on the WTA rankings?

The rankings could still shift massively before then, of course, with WTA events at the start of the 2027 season and the WTA Finals still to play this year.

However, at this moment in time, there is a pretty clear indication of who this would mean Eala would avoid in Melbourne.

Elena Rybakina is unlikely to be deposed as the world number one, though Aryna Sabalenka, in second, will try her best.

Mirra Andreeva, currently at a career-high ranking of third, is not far behind though.

Just 700 points separate Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina in fourth and sixth, with Jessica Pegula wedged in between.

The Czech duo of Karolína Muchová and Linda Nosková make up the rest of the top eight, with Iga Swiatek and Marta Kostyuk just outside.