MANILA, Philippines — Filipino ace Alex Eala soared to a new career-high No. 18 in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on Monday, making history as the highest-rated Southeast Asian player of all time.
Eala topped former Southeast Asian stars in Indonesian Yayuk Basuki and Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn who both peaked at No. 19.
Basuki reached No. 19 in October 1997 while Tanasugarn matched it in May 2002.
At just 21 years old, Eala could still push to become the highest-rated Southeast Asian player in both women's and men's play.
Thai Paradorn Srichaphan still holds that distinction with a career-high No. 9 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings.
Srichaphan reached the Southeast Asian's highest ranking in May 2003.
