Alex Eala hailed as Kooyong Classic champion
Manila Times
16 January 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Tennis sensation Alex Eala will carry a strong momentum going into the 2026 Australian Open after capturing the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Trophy at the Kooyong Classic women’s singles exhibition meet.
Kooyong Classic announced Eala's feat on Friday afternoon, with a picture of the Filipina receiving the trophy.
“We are happy to announce the winner of the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Trophy, Alexandra Eala,” the event organizers wrote on its socials.
“Congratulations to our women’s 2026 Kooyong Classic Champion,” the post added.
Eala, ranked 49th in the world, defeated Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic of Croatia, in the meet.
She first defeated the Croatian in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic last week.
The Evonne Goolagong Cawley Trophy serves as a tribute to the former Australian player.
Cawley, a former No. 1 player in women’s singles, was one of the world's top tennis players in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Eala will open her 2026 Australian Open against the United States’ Alycia Parks in the first round on Sunday, at Melbourne Park, Australia.
The 20-year-old Eala earned a direct entry in the Australian Open due to her rankings and will face the current world No. 100 Parks in the first round.
The 25-year-old Parks reached a career-high of world No. 40 last Aug. 14, 2023, and won her first WTA singles title in the 2023 Lyon Open.
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