PHILIPPINE tennis trailblazer Alexandra “Alex” Eala will begin her WTA 2027 season with a return to the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. The 250-tier tournament will run from January 4 to 10. World No. 15 Eala said she loved her stay last year in Auckland where she made her tournament debut. “I loved my time in Auckland. Of course, the support there was amazing, especially from the Filipino community,” said Eala in the tournament website report. “The people there were super-nice. The city was super-nice. I was there during New Year so it was a great experience for me,” added Eala, who just wrapped her 2026 season with a runner-up finish at 250 Hong Kong Open last week.  ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin is excited to have Eala back. “Alex is not just an exciting young player, but she has already developed into one of the most recognizable players in world tennis,” said Lamperin. “We are excited Alex has chosen to come back to play in Auckland. We have watched her progress with interest, and we know all tennis fans, especially her fervent fans from the Filipino community in Auckland, will be excited to see her in action again. “Alex has a wonderful all-court game and she is a bubbly personality both on and off the court.” Last season which she started at rank No. 53, Eala reached the semifinals of the competition where she fell to Wang Xinyu, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6. Eala will try to defend or even eclipse those 98 ranking points from that semis finish, serving as the first of many substantial points she need to defend in 2027. The 21-year-old Eala likewise reached the Auckland doubles semifinals last year with close pal and world No. 13 Iva Jovic. The ASB Classic will also serve as Eala’s buildup for the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she will gun for her first victory in the first Grand Slam of the year. The Australian Open main draw will run from January 17 to 31.