Alexandra Eala, Emma Raducanu Climb Rankings After Strong Showings

Eala reaches career-best ranking while Raducanu returns to top 25 after recent tournament runs.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Rising tennis stars Alexandra Eala and Emma Raducanu have both made significant jumps in the WTA rankings after strong recent performances. Eala reached a career-best ranking of world No. 40 after making the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi, while Raducanu climbed to world No. 24, her highest ranking since August 2022, after reaching the final of a WTA 250 tournament in Cluj-Napoca.

Why it matters

Eala and Raducanu are two of the most promising young players on the women's tennis tour, and their continued rise in the rankings demonstrates their potential to become future stars of the sport. Their success also highlights the growing depth and competitiveness of women's tennis, with new talents emerging to challenge the established players.

The details

Eala, a 20-year-old from the Philippines, overcame a 4-0 deficit and match point to defeat Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the Abu Dhabi quarterfinals, marking her second straight quarterfinal appearance after a strong showing at a WTA 125 event in Manila. Raducanu, the 23-year-old Brit who won the 2021 US Open, reached her first final since that Grand Slam triumph, ultimately falling to Sorana Cirstea in the title match in Cluj-Napoca.

  • Eala reached a career-best ranking of world No. 40 after the Abu Dhabi Open.
  • Raducanu climbed to world No. 24, her highest ranking since August 2022, after the Cluj-Napoca tournament.

The players

Alexandra Eala

A 20-year-old rising tennis star from the Philippines who has been making steady progress on the WTA tour.

Emma Raducanu

The 23-year-old British player who won the 2021 US Open and is now ranked world No. 24, her highest position since August 2022.

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What’s next

Eala is set to make her debut at the Qatar Open, where she will face Czech teenager Tereza Valentova in the first round. Raducanu will also compete at the Qatar Open, taking on Camila Osorio in her opening match.

The takeaway

Eala and Raducanu's recent success demonstrates the continued rise of young talent in women's tennis, with both players poised to make further strides in the rankings and challenge the sport's established stars in the years to come.