One of the world's most popular tennis players, Alexandra Eala, will headline this year's Lexus Birmingham Open at the Edgbaston Priory Club. The Filipino star, currently ranked just inside the world's top 50, attracts huge crowds wherever she plays, thanks to passionate support from her home nation.
Eala's Rising Stardom
Eala's matches draw massive global audiences, despite her world ranking peaking at 29. Her pre-tournament press conference for the Australian Open attracted 171,000 viewers online alone, four-and-a-half times more than world No.1 Coco Gauff. Disappointed fans often queue in vain to watch her play.
Her breakout 2025 season began with a semi-final run at the Miami Open as a wildcard, propelling her into the top 100. She also enjoyed a successful grass court season, starting at last year's Lexus Birmingham Open before reaching her first WTA Tour final at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, where she defeated former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Strong Field for Birmingham
Joining Eala on the entry list is history-maker Tatjana Maria, who won the first women's event at Queen's last year. Indonesia's Janice Tjen will be the top seed in Birmingham. Tournament director Kirsty Thomson expressed excitement: 'We're thrilled to welcome Alexandra back in 2026. She's a fan favourite worldwide, and we look forward to hosting her and many top players, including Tatjana Maria, at Edgbaston Priory Club in June.'
Event Details
The Lexus Birmingham Open runs from June 1-7. Centre Court tickets start at £40, grounds admission is £12 for adults, and children enter free. Tickets are available at tickets.lta.org.uk.
