Key Takeaways
- Alex Eala made her Paris Fashion Week debut at the Chanel show with her mother, Rizza.
- The 21-year-old Filipina reiterated that tennis remains her top priority despite her growing appreciation for design.
- Following her bronze-medal finish at the Asian Games, Eala is scheduled to return to tour action at the Wuhan Open.
A stylish European interlude between tour stops
Philippine tennis star Alex Eala took advantage of a brief window in her competition calendar to head to France, experiencing Paris Fashion Week for the first time. The 21-year-old was present for the Chanel Spring-Summer 2027 runway presentation, attending the event in the company of her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala.
Dressed in matching Chanel aesthetics featuring tweed and tailored trousers, the mother and daughter watched the showcase among notable personalities such as Nicole Kidman, Pedro Pascal, Dua Lipa and Olivia Wilde. Reflecting on the outing online, Eala characterized the experience as “A forever memory”.
Prioritizing the court while exploring new passions
Even as high-profile opportunities outside of sport emerge, Eala was quick to emphasize that her competitive athletic journey remains her clear focus. When considering whether the glamour of Paris compared to playing at Roland Garros, she noted that “tennis is my first love” while pointing out how much she enjoyed the creative work on display.
Eala did not put her training on hold entirely during the Parisian visit, heading to a French Tennis Federation training ground for on-court drills while her mother looked on. Family support has remained a key pillar for the Filipina, who previously used her Indian Wells platform to celebrate Rizza, describing her as an “amazing woman”.
Upcoming tournament plans for the Asian swing
The excursion followed a demanding schedule at the Asian Games in Japan, where Eala secured a bronze medal in the women’s singles draw after falling to China’s Wang Xiyu 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the penultimate round. Having bypassed Beijing to compete for her nation, she will soon resume her professional campaign on the WTA Tour.
| Tournament | Location | Scheduled start |
|---|---|---|
| Wuhan Open | Wuhan, China | October 12 |
| Ningbo Open | Ningbo, China | Following Wuhan |
| Toray Pan Pacific Open | Tokyo, Japan | Late October |
The premier event in Wuhan marks her immediate return, where she will test herself against a loaded WTA 1000 field before continuing across Asia.
Alexandra Eala in 2026
Currently ranked no.18 (career-high), the Filipino played her last match on the 24th of September when she capitulated to world no.123 Tatiana Prozorova 4-6 7-5 6-3 in the 2nd round in Singapore (draw).
At present, during this year the Filipino has a composed 40-22 record. Eala conquered 2 titles in 2026 in the Birmingham and Washington.
