Alex Eala’s next tournament will see her return to Miami, the site of her breakthrough onto the WTA Tour.
There, she soared into the semi-finals, beating three former Grand Slam champions and defying the odds.
Since then, she has capitalised on her newfound fame, amassing a huge Filipino following and reshaping the sport in the process.
However, she faces a unique challenge this year upon returning to Miami.
In fact, she likely will have never faced such an obstacle before in her career: defending so many ranking points.
How many ranking points does Alex Eala have to defend at the Miami Open?
As a semifinalist at a WTA 1000 event, naturally, Alexandra Eala gained plenty of ranking points around this time last year.
As such, due to the 52-week cumulative rolling system for the rankings, they will disappear when the Miami Open begins, thus wiping the slate clean.
If she were to reach the semifinals again, she would not have gained or lost any points. However, if she fails to match that run, she could go tumbling down the rankings.
Last year, she gained 390 points from the Miami Open.
Eala could face a rankings drop if she fails to defend them, having never had to defend so many points before.
Alex Eala’s potential route to the Miami Open final
Whilst a run to the final would be sensational, it is rather unlikely.
Especially given that the Miami Open draw has not been kind to Eala, putting her on another collision course with some elite-level players.
She will start her campaign with a bye, before one of Laura Siegemund or Petra Marcinko will await her.
If Eala is to reach the third round, Iga Swiatek is expected to be waiting for her. The Filipina superstar actually beat the former world number one in Miami last year.
And, should she repeat that feat, the 20-year-old will likely have to face one of Karolina Muchova or Clara Tauson in the fourth round.
Fellow youngster Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko are her expected opponents in the quarterfinals, whilst one of the American stars, Amanda Anisimova or Coco Gauff, should be a semifinalist.
Then, it could be anyone from Aryna Sabalenka to Elena Rybakina in the Miami Open final.