Filipina tennis standout Alex Eala brings her focus to the clay courts of Spain following an early exit at the Stuttgart Open, with her next stop set at the Madrid Open, which begins April 21.

The WTA 1000 event features a stacked 96-player main draw, with top stars such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Jelena Ostapenko among those on the current roster.

Last year, Eala got to the second round of the Madrid Open, beating Viktoriya Tomova in the first round, and lost in two close sets to Swiatek in the next round.

Since 2009, the women’s competition in Madrid has been played on outdoor clay courts, making it a key stop in the buildup to Roland Garros.

Eala has also entered the Catalonia Open, which begins April 27 also in Spain.

If her Madrid campaign ends before the second week, she is expected to compete in the WTA 125 event, which features a 32-player singles draw.

This draw includes World’s No. 47 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, No. 25 Leylah Fernandez, No. 78 Eva Lys, and No. 51 Laura Siegemund.

Also competing is defending champion Dalma Galfi, who is currently ranked No. 93 by the WTA.

Founded in 2023, the Catalonia Open has quickly established itself on the clay circuit. Sorana Cirstea won the inaugural title. (ABS-CBN News)