Eala ready to disappear for a bit after breakout season comes to an end

Alex Eala said she is looking forward to lying low for a while after her breakout campaign ​ended on Sunday with a 6-3 6-0 defeat ‌by American Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final.

The 21-year-old, who became the highest-ranked Filipino and Southeast Asian player in WTA ​history earlier this season, has become a fan ​favourite this year and her run in Hong ⁠Kong will lift her to a career-high 15th ​in the world rankings.

Eala won her first WTA Tour-level title at ​the Washington Open in August and claimed seven wins over top-10 players across the year. She also won a bronze medal at the ​Asian Games last month.

"I didn't know that was ​on the cards for me, to end the year at 15th," she ‌told ⁠reporters after the Hong Kong final.

"This whole season, just to top it off with ending the year 15th, it's like dreams are only dreams until they're not."

Asked ​what her goals ​were for ⁠2027, Eala said she had not spent much time thinking about next season.

"I've been ​really enjoying the fruits of my labour ​of ⁠this year. Just because it's been one (tournament) and then the other and then the other...

"I'm going to spend time ⁠with my ​family, just lay low, disappear ​for a little bit," she added.

"Yeah, those are my plans. Just to ​disappear."