Is Zeynep Sonmez the 2026 version of Alexandra Eala

Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez is taking the tennis world by storm. Sonmez, who will turn 24 on April 30, has been climbing the WTA rankings since January’s Australian Open.

Her historic run in Melbourne included advancing through the qualifying rounds and wins over Ekaterina Alexandrova, Anna Bondar, and Jasmine Paolini.

Sonmez is currently ranked 67th, and she has already defeated two Spaniards (Carlota Martinez Cirez and 27th seed Cristina Bucsa) in Madrid to get to the third round. Ironically, her 2026 rise is reminiscent of her Madrid doubles partner, Alexandra Eala, in 2025.

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Similarities between Sonmez and Eala

Eala’s meteoric rise did not come at a Grand Slam, but she took out three Grand Slam champions (Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko, and Iga Swiatek) at the 2025 Miami Open to become a household name.

Both Eala and Sonmez, hailing from the Philippines and Turkey respectively, are quickly becoming the most famous tennis players and athletes from their countries.

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Sonmez’s popularity may soon equal Eala’s. The buzz around her grew exponentially this week when Arthur Fils was spotted watching her match. (Fils also watched Gael Monfils’ match.)

Watch Sonmez in singles and doubles at the Mutua Madrid Open on Tennis Channel. She faces Argentinian Solana Sierra in singles on Sunday, April 26. Eala and she take on the Sunshine Double champions Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova on Saturday, April 25.