Filipino Tennis Star Eala Drops Doubles to Sharpen Indian Wells Focus

Eala skips doubles to concentrate solely on singles, aiming to boost ranking and make deep tournament run at prestigious Masters event.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Alexandra Eala, the rising Filipino tennis star, has decided to skip the doubles competition at the 2026 Indian Wells tournament to concentrate solely on her singles performance. This strategic move comes after an intense start to her season, as she prepares to compete in the prestigious Masters event with the goal of improving her ranking and building momentum for the Miami Open.

Why it matters

Eala's decision to focus on singles at Indian Wells reflects a mature approach to managing her physical and mental recovery, as she looks to bridge the gap with top-ranked opponents. Her recent climb in the WTA rankings has raised expectations, and success at Indian Wells could set the tone for a strong season ahead.

The details

Following a breakthrough year highlighted by impressive wins over Grand Slam champions, Eala has opted to streamline her schedule to better manage her energy and recovery. This focus on singles is seen as a critical step in her quest to climb higher in the WTA rankings. Eala has endured a demanding start to her 2026 campaign, playing six tournaments in six weeks, and her decision to skip doubles at Indian Wells aims to allocate her full energy toward advancing deep into the tournament bracket.

  • Eala reached the semifinals in Auckland but faced early elimination at the Australian Open, which led her to participate in a WTA 125 event in Manila to regain confidence.
  • After competing in Manila, Eala traveled to the Middle East, participating in Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai back-to-back.
  • Eala is set to move up 15 spots to reach a new career-high of No. 32 in the WTA standings, surpassing her previous best ranking of No. 40.

The players

Alexandra Eala

A rising Filipino tennis star who has experienced a breakthrough year, including impressive wins over Grand Slam champions.

Jasmine Paolini

One of the rare WTA players who manages the demanding balance between singles and doubles consistently, largely due to her longstanding partnership with Sara Errani.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In the next two months? I think I have time now before Indian Wells to try and reassess and improve, take a small break and build again because I've been on the road and competing week after week after week this year.”

— Alexandra Eala, professional tennis player

“So I think physically, it's something I can reassess my physical state, trying to build up on more injury prevention and things like that, and I think that will also reflect in a game. I think that's one of the things that can bridge the gap between myself and, you know, those top-5 players.”

— Alexandra Eala, professional tennis player

What’s next

Eala's performance at the Indian Wells Masters will be a crucial step in her quest to break into the WTA's top 20 players. A strong showing could set the tone for a successful season and bolster her confidence heading into the Miami Open, where she will look to defend her semifinal points.

The takeaway

Eala's decision to focus on singles at Indian Wells reflects a mature approach to managing her physical and mental recovery, as she aims to bridge the gap with the top-ranked players on the WTA tour. Her recent climb in the rankings has raised expectations, and success at this prestigious event could be a significant stepping stone toward her goal of breaking into the top 20.