Eala Climbs Despite Rome Setback: WTA Ranking Mystery Solved!

Despite a tough debut at the Italian Open 2025, where she won only one game, Alex Eala, the Filipina tennis star, has risen in the WTA rankings. This might seem counterintuitive, but understanding the WTA ranking system explains this apparent contradiction. Let’s delve into Eala’s performance, her ranking movement, and the intricacies of the WTA ranking system.

Italian Open Debut: A Learning Experience

Alex Eala’s first appearance at the Italian Open was short-lived. She faced a formidable opponent in Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, currently ranked No. 27 in the world. Eala lost the match 6-0, 6-1. Kostyuk’s consistent performance throughout 2025 made her a tough challenge for Eala.

The match started with Kostyuk breaking Eala’s serve in the first game, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Despite a brief resistance from Eala in the fifth game of the first set, Kostyuk’s dominance prevailed. The second set mirrored the first, with Kostyuk maintaining control and not allowing Eala to gain momentum.

Despite the loss, Eala is set to participate in the doubles competition, partnering with American tennis star Coco Gauff. This offers her a chance for redemption and valuable experience on the WTA tour.

Ranking Rise: +6 Despite Defeat?

Despite the defeat, Eala has risen to a career-high ranking of world No. 70 ahead of the Italian Open. This two-spot jump in the WTA rankings occurred despite her loss. This is because the WTA rankings are based on a rolling 52-week cumulative system. This system considers a player’s performance over the past year, not just their most recent tournament.

Here’s a breakdown of why Eala’s ranking increased despite losing in the first round of the Italian Open:

• Rolling 52-Week System: The WTA rankings consider a player’s best results over the past 52 weeks. Points earned from tournaments a year ago are dropped, and new points earned are added.
• Points from Previous Tournaments: Eala’s rise to world No. 70 reflects her success in previous tournaments. Her recent performances, such as her semifinal run at the Miami Open and her strong showing at the Madrid Open, contributed to her overall ranking.
• Dropping Older Points: It’s possible that some players above Eala had points from tournaments a year ago drop off, while Eala retained her points, leading to her rise in ranking.

Understanding the WTA Ranking System

The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) rankings are the official ratings of female tennis players. Introduced in November 1975, the rankings are updated every Monday, except during Grand Slam tournaments, the Miami Open, and Indian Wells. The WTA uses a computer system nicknamed “Medusa” to calculate these rankings.

How it Works

The WTA rankings are based on a rolling 52-week system. A player’s ranking is determined by her results in a maximum of 16 tournaments for singles and 12 for doubles. Points are awarded based on how far a player advances in a tournament. The tournaments considered must include:

• The four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open).
• The six WTA 1000 mandatory combined/virtually combined tournaments (Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome, Toronto/Montreal, Cincinnati, Beijing).
• One WTA 1000 mandatory (WTA-only) tournament.
• The best seven results from WTA 1000, WTA 500, WTA 250, WTA 125, and ITF tournaments.

For doubles, the best 12 tournament results across all tournament levels are used. Unlike singles, there are no specific tournament level requirements, and the WTA Finals are not treated as a bonus tournament.

Factors Affecting Ranking

Several factors determine a player’s ranking:

• Tournament Level: Higher-level tournaments, like Grand Slams and WTA 1000 events, award more points.
• Round Progression: The further a player advances in a tournament, the more points they earn.
• Number of Tournaments: Only a player’s best 16 results count towards their ranking.
• Mandatory Tournaments: Players are generally required to compete in Grand Slams and WTA 1000 mandatory events, with exceptions made for valid reasons such as injury.

Points Distribution

Points are distributed based on the tournament and the round a player reaches. For example, Grand Slam winners earn 2000 points, while winners of WTA 1000 events earn 1000 points. The specific points awarded for each round vary depending on the tournament level.

Appearing in the Rankings

To appear in the WTA rankings, players must earn ranking points in at least three tournaments or earn a minimum of 10 singles or doubles ranking points in one or more tournaments.

Eala’s 2025 Season So Far

Alex Eala’s 2025 season has been marked by steady progress and impressive performances. Some key highlights include:

• Miami Open Semifinals: Eala’s semifinal run at the Miami Open was a significant breakthrough, helping her break into the top 100.
• Madrid Open: Eala competed at the Madrid Open, where she defeated Victoriya Tomova in the first round but lost to Iga Swiatek in the second round.
• Italian Open: Despite her early exit in singles, Eala gained valuable experience and will compete in doubles with Coco Gauff.

Eala’s participation in these high-level tournaments has contributed to her rise in the rankings and provided her with valuable experience against top players.

Looking Ahead

Despite the disappointing result in the Italian Open singles, Alex Eala’s career is on an upward trajectory. Her new career-high ranking of No. 70 is a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Eala will now focus on the doubles event at the Italian Open with Coco Gauff. Following the Italian Open, Eala is expected to compete in the main draw of the French Open, marking another significant milestone in her career.